Turkey defeated the United States 3-2 in the final Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday night in Los Angeles. Despite the loss, the U.S. finished atop the group with seven points and advanced to the Round of 32.
HOW THEY GOT HERE:
The USMNT won their first two matches in Group D over Paraguay and Australia by a combined score of 7-1. With those results, the US won their group for the first time since the 2010 World Cup, but the first time winning it outright since 1930.
For Turkey, its World Cup run has been nothing but disappointment. Entering the tournament, Turkey was a favorite to win Group D, but after suffering back-to-back losses to Australia and Paraguay, the Turks have been eliminated from advancing out of group play. Adding more frustration, Turkey dominated both matches on the stat sheet, having over 70% possesion in both contests, along with a combined 62 shots in both matches, with 0 goals.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
With first place already secured, head coach Mauricio Pochettino heavily rotated his squad, making nine changes to the starting lineup from last week’s win over Australia.
The U.S. wasted no time putting pressure on Turkey. Just two minutes into the match, Sebastian Berhalter delivered a corner kick that Auston Trusty controlled with one touch before firing into the net to give the Americans a 1-0 lead. It was the second-fastest goal in U.S. World Cup history and the second straight match the Americans scored within the opening 10 minutes.
Turkey answered in the 10th minute when Arda Güler beat Matt Turner to level the match. The Turks then grabbed the lead in the 31st minute as Güler slipped a through ball behind the U.S. defense to Orkun Kökçü, who redirected it home from close range.
The United States came out aggressively to start the second half, and Berhalter was once again at the center of the action. After a corner kick was partially cleared, the ball fell to him just outside the penalty area, where he blasted a one-touch volley into the net in the 49th minute to tie the match at 2-2.
Christian Pulisic made his return from injury in the 57th minute, replacing Tim Weah to a loud ovation from the American supporters.
Late in the match, Trusty briefly left the field after an awkward fall in the 88th minute. With the U.S. out of substitutions, he returned moments later to finish the game.
In the final minute of regulation, Turkey took advantage of a tired and disorganized U.S. back line. A through ball found Kaan Ayhan, who converted the chance to give Turkey a 3-2 victory.
Although the result didn’t affect the standings, the match was one of the most entertaining of the tournament so far.
BIG NUMBER: 7
Even with what was essentially a U.S. B team, the Americans finished with seven shots on goal—their highest total of the World Cup.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Sebastian Berhalter
Sebastian Berhalter, the son of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, made a strong case for a regular spot in the lineup. He recorded an assist and a goal while leading the match with five chances created and 89 touches.
UP NEXT: The USMNT will play in the Round of 32 knockout stage on Wednesday, July 1st, at 7 PM against the third-place team, Bosnia & Herzegovina, in San Francisco at Levi’s Stadium.
