Kaan Ayhan scored a stoppage-time goal on June 25, 2026, to give Türkiye a 3-2 victory over the U.S. [1, 2].
The result marks the only win of the tournament for Türkiye [4]. While the loss does not derail the U.S. campaign, the defeat highlights the volatility of Group D as the co-hosts prepare for the knockout stage [5].
The match took place at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles [3]. The contest remained tense until the final moments when Ayhan, a defender for the Türkiye national team, found the net on the final kick of the match [5].
Türkiye struggled for consistency throughout the group stage, making this single victory a critical high point for the squad [4]. The U.S. team entered the match with a rotated lineup, which may have contributed to the defensive lapse in the closing seconds [1, 3].
Despite the loss, the U.S. side saw the return of Christian Pulisic from injury [3]. The American squad has already shifted its focus toward the upcoming knockout rounds, where the stakes increase significantly [5].
Türkiye's 3-2 win provides them with three points in the group standings [1]. The dramatic nature of the goal ensured that Türkiye ended their Group D participation on a positive note, regardless of their overall progression in the tournament [2].
“Kaan Ayhan scored a stoppage-time goal on June 25, 2026, to give Türkiye a 3-2 victory over the United States.”
This victory allows Türkiye to exit the group stage with a signature win against a co-host, though it does not fundamentally alter the U.S. trajectory toward the knockout rounds. For the U.S., the use of a rotated side suggests a strategic prioritization of player health and fitness over group-stage perfection.
