Turkey restore pride with dramatic win over USA, crash out
The Turkish national men’s team led by Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella grabbed its first win at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup with a stunning 3-2 win over co-hosts, USA.
The Turkish team which has endured two straight Group D losses restored national pride with a dramatic 98th-minute stoppage-time winner from substitute Kaan Ayhan to finish the game 3-2.
The USA, which fielded a heavily rotated squad under manager Mauricio Pochettino, grabbed the first goal of the game when former Arsenal player Austin Trusty scored from an early corner kick.
The Turks equalized in the 10th minute through Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler following an exciting team move. In the 31st minute Orkun Kökçü’s attempt glanced in off Barış Alper Yılmaz to give his team a 2-1 lead in the game played at the Los Angeles Stadium.
The USA equalized in the 49th minute when Sebastian Berhalter fired a brilliant low rocket from the top of the box but the Turks had the last laugh in the 90+8 minute of the game when Kaan Ayhan stunned the co-hosts with a last-gasp winner.
Read Also: How Netherlands inflicted more woes on Tunisia; Japan through
In the other Group D encounter Australia ensured qualification for the Round of 32 after playing out a 0-0 goalless draw against Paraguay at the San Francisco Bay Arena Stadium.
The Aussie’s dominated the first half of the match with 62% possession in the opening 45 minutes of the game with Christian Volpato and Jackson Irvine both coming close to giving their team the opening goal.
The cagey football game eventually ended scoreless with Paraguay goalkeeper, Orlando Gill, grabbing the MVP after making five crucial saves in the encounter against an aggressive Australian national team.
Key match stats: Turkey vs USA
Ball possession: Turkey: 47% – USA: 53%
Attempts: Turkey: 9- USA:18
Shots on target: Turkey: 4- USA: 7
Corners: Turkey: 2- USA: 9
Offsides: Turkey: 2- USA: 5
Yellow cards: Turkey: 0- USA: 1
Passes: Turkey: 333- USA: 399
Key match stats: Australia vs Paraguay
Possession: Australia 56% – 44% Paraguay
Total Attempts: Australia 12 – 7 Paraguay
Shots on Target: Australia 5 – 2 Paraguay
Passing Accuracy: Australia 439 completed – 330 completed Paraguay
Corners: Australia 3 – 1 Paraguay
Yellow Cards: Australia 1 – 1 Paraguay
