Türkiye secured a dramatic 3-2 win over the USA at the SoFi Stadium thanks to a 98th-minute winner from substitute Kaan Ayhan. The final drama capped a thrilling World Cup encounter in Los Angeles, leaving home fans heartbroken. The win provides a massive boost to the Crescent-Stars’ tournament ambitions.
Both nations entered this much-anticipated group stage with the intention of securing a vital place in the tournament. The United States looked to exploit their home advantage in front of a passionate crowd at SoFi Stadium. Meanwhile, a young and talented Turkish side wanted to prove their credentials on the world stage under immense pressure.
The Americans enjoyed a dream start when defender Auston Trusty headed home Sebastian Berhalter’s cross just three minutes into the game. However, Türkiye responded almost immediately when Arda Güler brilliantly equalized in the far corner in the 10th minute. Barış Alper Yılmaz then fired the Turkish side ahead in the 31st minute, beating goalkeeper Matt Turner after a clever pass from Orkun Kökcü.
The USA fought back immediately after halftime when Berhalter scored a deserved equalizer in the 49th minute. The US coaching staff introduced star striker Christian Pulisic in the 58th minute to inject fresh energy into the attack. Despite several late chances from the home side, Turkish substitute Ayhan scored the winning goal in the 98th minute of play.
Statistically, the United States controlled the tempo for large periods, enjoying 53 percent of possession and unleashing 18 total shots compared to Türkiye’s nine. Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır kept his team alive with five crucial saves, while the Americans registered seven shots on goal. The American team also won nine corner kicks, but failed to make their set-piece dominance count in the final third.
This spectacular result puts Türkiye in a commanding position in the World Cup group standings as they look towards the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, the USA must quickly regroup and address their defensive lapses before their next crucial game. The Americans will no doubt rue the missed opportunities in a game where they created numerous scoring chances.
