Kaan Ayhan's Late Winner Ends USA's Unbeaten World Cup Run for Türkiye

In a dramatic conclusion to their FIFA World Cup 2026Competition·FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D campaign, TürkiyeTeam·Türkiye secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the United StatesTeam·United States, with former BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga defender Kaan AyhanPlayer·Kaan Ayhan netting a decisive goal in stoppage time. The late strike, delivered on June 26, 2026, marked TürkiyeTeam·Türkiye's only win of the tournament and brought an end to the USA's perfect unbeaten run.

The United StatesTeam·United States entered the match having already secured their qualification for the Round of 32 and clinched the top spot in Group D, following impressive back-to-back wins against Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0). With their advancement assured, USA coach BerhalterCoach·Berhalter opted for significant squad rotation, fielding a lineup primarily composed of players who had seen limited minutes in previous matches. This strategic decision meant the outcome of this final group stage encounter held no bearing on the USA's progression or group standing.

Conversely, TürkiyeTeam·Türkiye had faced a challenging campaign, having already been eliminated from the World Cup prior to this fixture. Losses to Australia (2-0) and Paraguay (1-0) in their earlier group matches meant their hopes of advancing were extinguished. Despite their exit, TürkiyeTeam·Türkiye demonstrated a clear motivation to conclude their tournament on a positive note, seeking a victory to reward their efforts.

The match at times reflected the experimental nature of the USA's lineup, yet it delivered compelling drama. The United StatesTeam·United States initially took the lead early in the third minute through Auston TrustyPlayer·Auston Trusty, providing an immediate challenge for TürkiyeTeam·Türkiye. However, TürkiyeTeam·Türkiye responded with resolve, as Arda GülerPlayer·Arda Güler found the equalizer in the 10th minute. Barış Alper Yılmaz then put TürkiyeTeam·Türkiye ahead in the 31st minute, ensuring they carried a 2-1 advantage into halftime.

The second half saw the USA push for parity, and Sebastian BerhalterCoach·Berhalter successfully leveled the score at 2-2 in the 49th minute, setting the stage for a tense final period. As the clock wound down, the contest appeared destined for a draw, but Kaan AyhanPlayer·Kaan Ayhan emerged as the hero for TürkiyeTeam·Türkiye. In the final moments of stoppage time, the defender, known for his tenure in the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga, delivered the winning goal, securing a memorable 3-2 triumph.

Following the match, USA coach BerhalterCoach·Berhalter reflected on his team's performance. "We let some moments get away from us, but I thought performances overall were good, and some guys, haven't played in almost a minute, and they stepped up and did great, and you know I'm proud of the whole group." — BerhalterCoach·Berhalter.

While the defeat ends the USA's flawless record in the group stage, their primary objective of advancing to the Round of 32 as group winners remains intact. For TürkiyeTeam·Türkiye, this late victory provides a measure of consolation, allowing them to depart the World Cup with a hard-earned win, a testament to their perseverance despite early elimination. The focus for the United StatesTeam·United States now shifts to the knockout stages, where they will face their next challenge in the pursuit of the World Cup title.