Kenya Sport

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

The United States men's national soccer team saw its flawless run through the World Cup group stage end dramatically Thursday night. Despite securing first place in Group D early, the USMNT lost 3-2 to Türkiye in stoppage time at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The final goal came in the eighth minute of added time when substitute Kaan Ayhan slid the ball home, dashing hopes for a clean finish to the group matches. The match had little impact on standings, but the loss stings for Mauricio Pochettino and his squad.

A Lineup of Changes and Early Goals

With many starters rested—including Christian Pulisic—the U.S. started strong, scoring in the third minute thanks to Auston Trusty, assisted by Sebastian Berhalter. This was one of the fastest goals for the U.S. in World Cup history.

Türkiye responded before halftime with two goals, including a striking finish by Orkun Kökçü, turning the match around despite earlier tournament struggles. The U.S. defense showed vulnerabilities that opponents exploited throughout the game.

Second Half Rally and Substitutions

Berhalter leveled the score early in the second half with a powerful shot following a long throw-in from Mark McKenzie. Pulisic returned from a calf injury in the 58th minute, injecting energy and creating several scoring chances, although none found the net.

Injuries and suspensions affected the lineup heavily. Defensive midfielder Cristian Roldan missed the match due to a quadriceps strain, and four key starters were rested to avoid suspension risks heading into the knockout rounds.

Türkiye's Determined Finish

Türkiye, coming off disappointing results earlier in the tournament, showed renewed determination. Despite criticism back home and doubts about their motivation in a match without stakes, they pressured relentlessly.

The winning goal followed a sequence where Arda Güler skillfully bypassed defenders, setting up a cross that slipped past goalkeeper Matt Turner and defenders before Ayhan's decisive finish.

Looking Ahead

The USMNT will regroup quickly for their Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, who finished third in Group B. This encounter, set for Wednesday in Santa Clara, offers the Americans a chance to reset after a tough finale.

Match Highlights Timeline

  • 3' - Auston Trusty scores after a corner assist from Sebastian Berhalter.
  • First Half - Türkiye scores twice through Barış Alper Yılmaz and Orkun Kökçü.
  • 49' - Berhalter equalizes with a fierce strike.
  • 58' - Christian Pulisic returns as a substitute, energizing the attack.
  • 90+8' - Kaan Ayhan nets the winner for Türkiye.

The defeat highlights defensive lapses that have been a concern for the U.S. side throughout the match. Despite the setback, the team's performance during the group stage remains among the best in recent memory, sparking hope for what’s next.

Related Articles