Kaan Ayhan scored the winner late in stoppage time as Turkiye handed the US their first defeat of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Published On 26 Jun 202626 Jun 2026Turkiye beat a heavily changed United States 3-2 with a late Kaan Ayhan winner in an action-packed dead-rubber clash that gave the 2026 World Cup cohosts their sternest test so far ahead of the knockout rounds.Already crowned the Group D winners, the US arrived in Los Angeles seeking to extend a perfect start with a third win, but with more than an eye on next Wednesday’s last-32 meeting against Bosnia and Herzegovina.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listFor Turkiye, already eliminated and without even a goal after disastrous losses to Paraguay and Australia, the only objective was to restore some pride.Despite the low stakes and substantially reshuffled lineups for both teams, a packed Los Angeles Stadium was in a deafening mood. US fans cheer their team ahead of the Group D match against Turkiye at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026 [Etienne Laurent/AFP]For the third game running, the US got off to a dream start. One of nine changes, backup centre-back Auston Trusty, was unmarked at the far post from a US corner, given time to cushion the ball with his left foot, then blast it home.It was the Celtic defender’s first international goal, and – at just under three minutes – the second-fastest by the US at a World Cup.But Turkiye did not surrender. Having not scored in 62 efforts across their first two games, it was the 63rd time lucky for the Turks, and their star man, Arda Guler.The Real Madrid forward duped Mark McKenzie with a clever dummy, allowing the ball to run down the right flank to Baris Alper Yilmaz. Advertisement Yilmaz crossed it back to Guler, who smashed it past Matt Turner to equalise in the 10th minute. Arda Guler, the star of Turkiye’s squad, scored his first World Cup goal [Alex Grimm/Getty Images via AFP]With Brad Pitt and Edward Norton among the Hollywood crowd, the game threatened to become a fight club, as Turkiye’s bench rushed the field to protest …
