In a dramatic finish at SoFi Stadium, Turkey secured a 3-2 consolation victory over the United States with Kaan Ayhan’s stoppage-time goal on Thursday. Despite the loss US advances as Group D winners and will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday in Santa Clara.
With their knockout spot already secured, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino fielded nine new starters for this low-stakes match. The Americans struck early when Auston Trusty scored in the third minute. This early strike tied the US record for the most goals (seven) scored in a World Cup group stage.
Turkey, playing for pride after early elimination, quickly responded. Arda Güler equalized in the 10th minute and Orkun Kökçü gave Turkey the lead in the 31st minute. Shortly after halftime, Sebastian Berhalter leveled the score at 2-2 with a powerful strike from 20 yards out.
A major boost for the US was the return of star forward Christian Pulisic. Entering in the 58th minute after recovering from a calf injury Pulisic looked sharp and energized the sold-out star-studded crowd.
However, the match ended on a difficult note for the hosts. In the 98th minute, Ayhan slid to tap in the decisive final kick of the game. US defender Trusty was stretchered off near the final whistle with an apparent hamstring injury. Turkey heads home with salvaged pride while the US regroups for the knockout stages.
