Türkiye win at the death: Ayhan strikes in 90+8, 3-2

In the final Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Türkiye beat hosts the USA 3-2 away to bow out of the tournament on a high. In a contest at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles that was breathless to the final seconds, Kaan Ayhan's goal in the 90+8th minute brought Türkiye the win. The USA, who had already finished top of the group and fielded a heavily rotated side, could not take a point against their eliminated visitors at home.

The USA started fast, going 1-0 up in the 3rd minute through Auston Trusty's finish from a corner taken by Sebastian Berhalter. But Türkiye's response was not long in coming. In the 10th minute, off Barış Alper Yılmaz's assist, Arda Güler made it 1-1. In the 31st minute, on a chance set up by Orkun Kökçü, Barış Alper Yılmaz fired the ball home to put Türkiye 2-1 up, and the first half closed at that score.

In the second half the USA restored parity. Sebastian Berhalter's goal in the 49th minute made it 2-2 and the game was back to square one. In spells where the USA stepped up their pressure with substitute Christian Pulisic, the Türkiye goal came under strain; but neither side could find a goal to go ahead for a long time. The tempo rose sharply late on, and the match became breathless with attacks at both ends.

Türkiye's win came in a dramatic final scene. In the 8th minute of stoppage time (90+8), Kaan Ayhan met the ball in the box and fired it home to put Türkiye 3-2 up, and shortly after the referee ended the game. Although the USA were superior in the statistics (18 shots, 2.04 xG), Türkiye took their chances and left the pitch victorious. The match, refereed by Mustapha Ghorbal, was watched by 70,492 fans. While the USA, who did not want to lose in any of their three games, finished top of the group to advance to the round of 32, Türkiye bowed out of the tournament with a win and their heads held high.

Image: NDTV Sports