Turkiye edge USA 3-2 with a stoppage-time Ayhan winner

Turkiye ended their World Cup on a high, beating the USA 3-2 at the SoFi Stadium as Kaan Ayhan struck in the 98th minute to win a thrilling five-goal contest. The Americans, already confirmed as Group D winners, rotated heavily; Turkiye, already eliminated, played with freedom and ambition. Ayhan's late finish, which slipped through Matt Turner's legs, was the latest match-winner the USA have ever conceded at a World Cup — a dramatic full stop on an open, end-to-end evening.

How it unfolded: Guler's record, US fightback, late drama

Arda Guler, 21, opened the scoring to become Turkiye's youngest World Cup scorer, with a second Turkiye goal giving the eliminated side control. The USA responded through Sebastian Berhalter and Auston Trusty — a record fifth different American scorer at the tournament — to level the game and hint at a comeback. Just as a draw beckoned, Ayhan pounced deep in stoppage time to settle a chaotic, momentum-swinging contest in Turkiye's favour.

Context: US records and defensive questions

The USA's eight goals at this tournament are their most ever, beating marks set in 1930 and 2002 and underlining their attacking riches even in a changed side. Christian Pulisic returned from the bench as he eases back from a calf issue, encouraging ahead of the knockouts. Yet the defence struggled badly: Turner had a night to forget, rated as low as 3 out of 10, as the reshuffled backline was repeatedly exposed by Turkiye's adventurous play.

The table: USA top regardless, Turkiye go out

The defeat changed nothing at the top — the USA had already won Group D and finished first on six points (GD plus four). Australia took second, Paraguay third, and Turkiye exit bottom on three points despite their parting win. The USA face Bosnia & Herzegovina next in the Round of 32, with the return of Pulisic a timely boost but the defensive lapses at SoFi a clear area for the coaching staff to address. For Turkiye, a first win of the tournament offers something to build on for the future, even as their campaign ends. Our forecast of Under 2.5 goals missed badly in a five-goal classic, undone by an open, end-to-end contest that neither qualification-settled side felt any obligation to control.