Türkiye concluded their World Cup campaign on a high note, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory over the USA in Los Angeles, thanks to a dramatic 98th-minute goal from Kaan Ayhan.

Match Overview

In a match filled with excitement, Türkiye, already eliminated from the tournament, faced the Group D winners, USA, who had made significant changes to their lineup. Coach Mauricio Pochettino opted for nine alterations from the team that had previously qualified by defeating Australia, providing opportunities for several fringe players to showcase their talents.

The USA struck first just three minutes into the match when Auston Trusty converted a corner from Sebastian Berhalter with a powerful left-footed shot. However, Türkiye responded quickly, leveling the score in the 10th minute. Arda Guler, after a clever exchange with Baris Yilmaz, broke through the US defense and scored, making him Türkiye's youngest World Cup goalscorer.

Turning Points

Türkiye took the lead in the 31st minute when Eren Elmali set up Baris Yilmaz, who found the back of the net, silencing the US supporters. The USA, however, regained momentum shortly after halftime when Berhalter scored a fierce shot from the edge of the box, equalizing the match at 2-2. Pochettino introduced key players in search of a winning goal, but it was Türkiye who ultimately triumphed when Kaan Ayhan scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

This victory not only provided Türkiye with a much-needed morale boost but also marked a notable achievement for the USA, who set a record for the highest-scoring World Cup campaign in their history, netting eight goals in the tournament, surpassing the previous record of seven.

Arda Guler was named the Superior Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, highlighting Türkiye's resilience in a challenging tournament.