Turkey exit World Cup with heads held high, beat USA 3-2 with last-gasp winner

Audio By Vocalize

Turkey's defender Kaan Ayhan (C) celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal with teammates during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match vs the USA at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026. [Frederic J. BROWN / AFP]

Turkey beat a heavily changed United States 3-2 with a late Kaan Ayhan winner in an action-packed dead-rubber clash that gave the World Cup co-hosts their sternest test so far ahead of the knockout rounds.

Already crowned Group D winners, the US arrived in Los Angeles seeking to extend a perfect start with a third win, but with more than an eye on next Wednesday's last-32 meeting against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

For Turkey, already eliminated and without even a goal after disastrous losses to Paraguay and Australia, the only objective was to restore some pride.