Türkiye's national football team clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over the United States on Thursday in their final Group D fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Kaan Ayhan's strike in the eighth minute of stoppage time securing the Crescent-Stars' first win of the tournament. The result at Los Angeles Stadium eliminated the Crescent-Stars from the competition despite the late heroics, while the host nation advanced to the Round of 32 as section winners.
The United States opened the scoring inside three minutes when defender Auston Trusty capitalized on a defensive lapse to beat goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir at the near post, giving the hosts an early advantage. Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler drew Türkiye level seven minutes later, weaving through the American backline to collect a squared pass from Baris Alper Yilmaz and hammer home his maiden World Cup goal.
The equalizer ended a 24-year wait for the Crescent-Stars, marking their first strike at the finals since Ilhan Mansiz's effort in 2002, and represented the team's 63rd shot of the tournament. Orkun Kokcu put the Turkish side ahead in the 31st minute, calmly slotting home after a fluid passing sequence dissected the defense.
Sebastian Berhalter restored parity for the hosts four minutes after the interval, running onto a loose ball in the box and smashing his shot into the ground and past Cakir after Türkiye failed to fully clear a dangerous cross. With elimination looming, Ayhan snatched victory deep into added time, converting from close range to secure the first World Cup triumph for Türkiye in 24 years. The United States finished atop Group D standings despite the defeat and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
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