Türkiye Shocks USMNT in Final Seconds, Ending Perfect Group Stage at World Cup 2026

The United States entered their final Group D match at SoFi Stadium with a perfect record, having won their first two World Cup games impressively. They had already secured first place and knew their Round-of-32 opponent ahead of time. Still, the 3-2 loss to Türkiye in stoppage time on Thursday night dealt a tough blow to the team.

In the eighth minute of added time, substitute Kaan Ayhan slid a decisive goal past US goalkeeper Matt Turner, turning what had been a mostly celebratory evening into a heartbreaking finish for coach Mauricio Pochettino and his squad.

A Lineup with Many Changes

Several regular starters, including Christian Pulisic, were rested. The Americans began strong, scoring early through Auston Trusty in the third minute, assisted by Sebastian Berhalter. Yet Türkiye fought back before halftime, scoring twice to take their first lead of the tournament.

Berhalter then struck back with a powerful equalizer in the second half. Pulisic returned from injury in the 58th minute to loud cheers and came close to putting the U.S. ahead multiple times.

Defensive midfielder Cristian Roldan was sidelined due to a quadriceps strain, pushing Pochettino to deploy Weston McKennie deeper in midfield. Other key players such as Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, and Folarin Balogun were rested to avoid suspensions for the knockout stage.

Türkiye’s Struggles Turned Efficient

Before this match, Türkiye had disappointed by failing to score in losses to Australia and Paraguay, despite numerous shots. Their coach, Vincenzo Montella, faced criticism but defended his players as the nation watched anxiously.

Against the U.S., Türkiye displayed more precision. After conceding early, they responded with goals involving their young star Arda Güler and orchestrated plays that exposed weaknesses in the American defense.

Key Moments in a Dramatic Finale

• 3rd minute: Trusty’s early goal, the second fastest in U.S. World Cup history.
• Before halftime: Türkiye scores twice, taking a 2-1 lead.
• 49th minute: Berhalter’s stunning equalizer brings the U.S. back into the game.
• 58th minute: Pulisic returns from injury, sparking several offensive chances.
• 90+8 minute: Ayhan’s last-gasp goal hands Türkiye the win.

Trusty suffered an ankle injury late but returned to the field after treatment, even though the U.S. had no substitutions left.

Looking Ahead

Despite the loss, the U.S. finished with its best group-stage performance in recent memory and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the knockout round. Bosnia advanced as the third-place team from Group B with a 1-1-1 record.

The defeat leaves questions about defensive lapses, which have plagued the U.S. throughout the match, especially in critical moments. Pochettino’s team now carries both confidence from their earlier wins and a need to tighten their defense moving forward.