Türkiye blew the USA's hopes of a flawless Group Stage campaign wide open with a breathtaking 3-2 victory at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — a last-gasp winner from Kaan Ayhan in the 98th minute condemning the hosts to their first defeat of the tournament and reigniting the group on dramatic fashion. The American side, who had won their opening two matches without conceding a goal, found themselves undone by a Turkish side showing ruthless efficiency in front of goal and the mental fortitude to strike when it mattered most.
The encounter was a frenetic, end-to-end affair — precisely what the pre-match data had predicted, with both teams scoring throughout. Sergio Berhalter opened the scoring inside three minutes, capitalising on early American pressing, before Arda Güler equalised seven minutes later with a finish that would restore Turkish belief. Burak Yılmaz then punished sloppy American defending to edge Türkiye ahead at 2-1 by the 31st minute. Berhalter hauled the USA level once more after 49 minutes, but the damage had been done — Türkiye's resolve never wavered, and Ayhan's finish in added time proved decisive.
How the match unfolded
USA arrived at SoFi Stadium as favourites, having dismantled Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0) in their first two outings. But Türkiye, bruised by opening defeats to Australia (0-2) and Paraguay (0-1), emerged with a point to prove. The hosts dominated possession—53 per cent to 47—and registered 18 shots to Türkiye's nine, yet the Turkish side's clinical finishing proved their salvation. American goalkeeper control of the game meant little when Berhalter's early finish made it 1-0 inside 180 seconds; Türkiye's response was immediate and assured. Güler's leveller showed a team capable of striking on the counter, and Yılmaz's 31st-minute goal, expertly worked through Orkun Kökçü's assist, gave the visitors a platform.
The second half belonged to neither side exclusively—rather, to whichever could stay calm under pressure. Berhalter's 49th-minute finish, a composed effort after sustained American buildup, dragged the match level at 2-2, and for 40 minutes, it appeared destined for a draw that would leave all three Group Stage contenders on knife-edge footing. Yet Türkiye's late substitutions—Zeki Çelik, Kenan Yıldız, Ozan Kökçü, and Oğuz Aydın all introduced between minutes 84 and 92—injected fresh legs when American legs began to wilt. The decision proved crucial. In the 98th minute, with the SoFi Stadium faithful resigned to a point, Ayhan struck from close range to settle an encounter that had delivered precisely what analysts had forecast: a high-scoring, open contest with both teams finding the back of the net.
Key moments
Berhalter's premature opener set an American tone of dominance that never materialised into total control. His yellow card in the 19th minute—a rash foul that left him treading carefully thereafter—symbolised the match's fractious but fair nature. The turning point came not from a single moment but a sequence: Yılmaz's two-goal haul (10th and 31st minutes) established Türkiye's attacking intent, whilst Berhalter's leveller proved the hosts remained dangerous. That 2-2 scoreline at 90 minutes felt final until Ayhan's intervention, a goal that shifts the entire group dynamic. With USA still unbeaten before this fixture, Türkiye's desperation translated into clinical execution—a lesson in how late substitutions and fresh energy can crack tired defences.
The statistics told a story of American pressure unrewarded: seven shots on goal versus Türkiye's four, yet the Turks' conversion rate—three goals from nine attempts—exposed clinical efficiency. Berhalter, named man of the match with a 9.0 rating, notched a goal and assist despite being overshadowed by the dramatic conclusion; Yılmaz (8.3) answered his team's call as talisman, whilst Güler (7.4) provided the early spark that steadied Turkish nerves.
This victory lifts Türkiye off the canvas and leaves Group Stage qualification finely balanced. The USA, despite the loss, retain three points from two matches and will fancy their chances to qualify—but their aura of invincibility has evaporated at SoFi Stadium. For Türkiye, Ayhan's 98th-minute heroics have kept their tournament dream alive on the narrowest of margins.