Turkiye signed off from the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a memorable victory, beating co-hosts and Group D winners USA 3-2 at Los Angeles Stadium on 27 June 2026. Already eliminated before kick-off, the Crescent-Stars produced a spirited display to end a difficult campaign on a winning note, snatching all three points with a goal deep in second-half stoppage time.

How the Goals Fell

Auston Trusty put the United States ahead in just 2 minutes and 13 seconds, converting a deep corner delivered by Sebastian Berhalter with a left-foot finish — the second-fastest goal in USMNT World Cup history, behind only Clint Dempsey's strike after 30 seconds against Ghana in 2014.

Turkiye hit back decisively before the break. Arda Guler, exchanging passes with Baris Yilmaz, levelled with a composed finish to become Turkiye's youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer. Minutes later, Yilmaz added a second after being squared by Eren Elmali, sending the Los Angeles crowd into silence.

Three minutes into the second half, Berhalter restored parity with a powerful strike from the top of the box that crept inside the near post — his first World Cup goal. The equaliser made Berhalter the first USA player on record (since 1966) to register both a goal and an assist in a single World Cup match.

Despite lively contributions from the returning Christian Pulisic, it was Kaan Ayhan who settled the contest, scrambling home a winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory for Turkiye.

US Records and Rotation

With qualification already secured, Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to the United States starting line-up from the side that had beaten Australia. Despite the rotated squad, the USMNT still reached a landmark: their eighth goal of the tournament set a new record for the most goals scored by the US in a single World Cup, surpassing the previous best of seven, set in 1930 and equalled in 2002.

Turkiye's Bittersweet Exit

Turkiye's campaign was defined by early elimination, but Friday's result offered some consolation. The win showcased the team's attacking quality — particularly from Guler, who announced himself on the world stage — and gave the squad a morale-boosting send-off. Notably, this is the kind of dead-rubber performance that can set the tone for a nation's rebuilding cycle heading into the next cycle of qualification.

What Happens Next

The USA, topping Group D, advance to the knockout rounds with momentum and a record-breaking goal tally. Pochettino's side will be expected to name a stronger starting line-up as the tournament enters the high-stakes elimination phase. Turkiye, meanwhile, return home with a victory to reflect on but a broader reckoning with a campaign that fell short of expectations.