Let’s get one thing straight — the United States didn’t lose their World Cup ticket on Thursday night. But boy, did Turkey make them sweat for it.
In a five-goal thriller at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, an already-eliminated Turkey side pulled off one of the most dramatic late winners of the 2026 World Cup, stunning a heavily rotated USMNT squad 3-2 in injury time. The crowd was stunned. The American bench winced. And somewhere in the Turkey dressing room, Arda Güler was grinning from ear to ear.
But here’s the thing — the USMNT couldn’t care less about the scoreline. They’d already won Group D before kick-off, topping the group with two wins over Paraguay and Australia. This was a dress rehearsal. A low-stakes finale. Mauricio Pochettino made ten — yes, ten — changes to his starting lineup, handing minutes to fringe players and keeping star man Christian Pulisic nailed to the bench until the 58th minute.
The fringe brigade didn’t disappoint early, though. Just three minutes in, defender Auston Trusty powered home from close range off a corner delivered by Sebastian Berhalter, drilling it home with his left foot for his first-ever international goal. The SoFi faithful erupted. The vibe was electric. This was going to be a cruise, right?
Wrong.
Turkey — winless in their first two games and already booked on the next flight home — had other plans. Within ten minutes, Real Madrid’s Arda Güler ghosted in behind the American backline, getting in between Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson with embarrassing ease before slotting past Matt Turner to level the score. A composed, deadly finish from a player who had been Turkey’s one consistent bright spot all tournament. 1-1. Game on.
The Crescent-Stars smelled blood. In the 31st minute, Güler pulled the strings again with a moment of brilliance, threading through for Orkun Kökcü, who lashed a first-time finish into the top corner. 2-1 Turkey. Halftime arrived with the Americans trailing for the very first time in this World Cup — a bizarre stat for a match they’d essentially already won.
Pochettino’s response in the second half was measured. Berhalter — yes, the same man who’d delivered the assist for Trusty’s opener — found his moment of redemption in the 49th minute, collecting a rebound at the edge of the box after McKennie’s shot was blocked, and firing it home through traffic. 2-2. Tension restored.
Pulisic came on at the 58th minute, nursing the calf injury that had kept him out of the Australia game, and gave American fans two heart-in-mouth moments as he went close on a couple of occasions.
The U.S. were the better side for large stretches of the second half — until Trusty went down with an ankle injury with the subs exhausted, leaving the back line exposed.
Turkey sensed it immediately. In the 98th minute — the very last play of the entire match — Kaan Ayhan stabbed home from close range after the American defence failed to clear their lines. SoFi Stadium went silent. Turkey’s bench erupted. A farewell goal for a team going home, and a deflating final note for a USMNT squad that had dominated this group stage.
“We let some moments get away from us,” said Sebastian Berhalter after the final whistle, “but some guys haven’t played in almost a minute and they stepped up. I’m proud of the whole group.”
The big picture? The USA top Group D on six points and march into the Round of 32, where a favorable draw awaits in Santa Clara. The stars — Pulisic, McKennie, Balogun, Reyna — are rested and ready for the knockout stage. Turkey head home with pride restored and a famous win to show for it.
Consider this a free lesson before the real exam begins. America’s still dancing. And the party is just getting started.
Man of the Match: Arda Güler
