Türkiye v USA

A lively match at Los Angeles Stadium despite nothing to play for comes to a close with a dramatic finish, as Turkiye find a late winner against the United States and exit the tournament with three points to their name. Despite finishing strongly, Montella’s side were not able to match the intensity of their opponents early on, as they conceded thanks to Trusty’s close-range finish from a corner after less than 180 seconds. Guler would restore parity seven minutes later, following a well-worked move with Yilmaz, and the striker would go from provider to scorer on the half-hour mark; applying an instinctive finish after getting his knee to Kokcu's shot. Again, Turkiye would struggle in the aftermath of the kick-off, as Berhalter fired home from 20 yards out four minutes on from the restart, but Ayhan would be the hero, by redirecting Uzun’s pass into an empty goal in the eighth minute of added time, after coming on as a late substitute. Despite not scoring in their first two matches, Turkiye hit the back of the net thrice tonight with an xG of 2.71, while the USMNT fall to defeat for the first time after registering 2.06 expected goals. The World Cup comes to an end for Turkiye, while Pochettino’s side are back in action on July 1 against Bosnia-Herzegovina. That concludes our commentary for the 2026 World Cup Group B fixture between Turkiye and the United States – we hope you’ve enjoyed it!

FULL-TIME: TURKIYE 3-2 UNITED STATES

90'+8'

Goal

A LATE WINNER! ALL THREE POINTS TO TURKIYE! 3-2! After showing incredible skill in a tight area, Guler opens up space and allows possession to roll to Ozcan 25 yards from goal. With time to work, the midfielder leans back and scoops a cross over the heads of the defenders to the far post for Uzun, who splits the legs of a sprawling Turner with a pass back across the face of goal that’s turned over the line by Ayhan despite as many as three defenders in the area!

Pulisic slips a lovely ball through the lines for Pepi, who can’t get a shot out of his feet quick enough - giving Soyuncu a chance to slide in and make a block at close range - before the linesman’s raised flag ends the move prematurely and gives Turkiye a chance to clear their area from a set-piece.

The United States are the fifth team to score in the first four minutes of both the first and second half of a World Cup match, and the first since Nigeria against Argentina in 2014.

90'+2'

Substitution

Kahveci is given a run out in the closing stages of the game, with Yilmaz recalled to the bench.

90'+2'

Substitution

Muldur comes on two minutes into added time, taking over full-back responsibilities from Aydin.

The fourth official indicates seven minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

88'

Substitution

Montella continues to shuffle his deck with two minutes to go, taking off Kokcu for Ayhan.

86'

Substitution

The United States give their captain an early rest, as McKennie hands the armband to Pulisic before coming to the touchline for Tillman.

84'

Substitution

Uzun gets a chance to impress and possibly win the three points for Turkiye, as a late replacement for Yildiz.

84'

Substitution

Turkiye’s first change of the contest comes with six minutes to go, and sees Celik - their captain on the night - make way for Soyuncu.

Turkiye move the ball from left to right for Yilmaz, who is driven a bit wider than he would have liked, but it gives the forward an opportunity to slip the ball into the 18-yard box for the underlapping Aydin, whose cross from the byline is headed away by Miles Robinson right in front of Turner.

Looking for a way to get a goal after his earlier assist, Kokcu receives the ball from Elmali in front of both McKennie and Trusty, but manages to find just enough space between them to lash a shot towards goal that sails high and wide of the target.

Pulisic is given space to cut inside after receiving a pass on the edge of the area following Berhalter’s short-corner routine, but the substitute slips while dispatching his shot from distance - causing him to miss the target by some distance.

77'

Substitution

Aaronson is the latest player to be removed from the fray, giving Zendejas a chance to impress.

77'

Substitution

After scoring against Australia in their second game, Freeman gets a chance to make it two in three, though his primary focus will be on his defensive duties as a replacement for Scally.

76'

Substitution

A change for the United States with 14 minutes remaining sees Reyna come off for Dest.

The United States are the likelier of the two sides to come away with the three points according to the Opta super computer, with the co-hosts maintaining a 27.1% chance to win the match, compared to Turkiye’s 21.9%. With just over a quarter-hour left to go though, a tie is the most probable outcome, at 51%.

SO CLOSE! In trademark style, Yildiz shifts inside from the left ahead of Scally, forcing McKennie - his Juventus team-mate - to come across and help close down what he knows is coming. Even still, the winger is allowed to step in and put the ball onto his right foot, before whipping a shot to the far post that misses the far corner narrowly!

Kokcu powers a free-kick from midway in his own half towards the United States’ 18-yard box, where Turner comes to meet it, only to volley his clearance off the head of Miles Robinson. The ricochet gives Yilmaz the chance to get onto the loose ball but he’s beaten in the race by the scrambling goalkeeper, who manages to claim it ahead of his opponent.

Turkiye and United States’ five previous encounters have produced a perfectly balanced record of two wins each and one draw, with seven goals scored by each side. Their last meeting came in a June 2025 friendly during which the USA scored inside the opening minute via Jack McGlynn, but Turkiye eventually won 2-1.

The second-half hydration break comes with the scores level at 2-2, thanks to Berhalter’s leveller just three minutes after the restart. The stoppage in play gives both Montella and Pochettino one last chance to pass along any tactical instructions, while providing time to prepare late changes; as only one substitution has been made so far (Pulisic for Weah).

Play is stopped temporarily for Cakir, who is receiving a bit of medical attention ahead of a United States corner-kick after landing awkwardly on his shoulder during his fantastic stop on Pulisic. He should be okay to continue, after taking a well-deserved moment to breathe, which gives the two teams a chance to reorganise.

INCREDIBLE SAVE! Scally measures a shaped cross to the penalty spot for Pepi, whose overhead-kick attempt fails, taking the ball instead into the path of Pulisic. Knowing very little about it, the forward prods a left-footed volley towards goal, but it’s somehow met by the fingertips of Cakir and pushed onto the post before bouncing back into play!