Khan Ayhan in the final rites; Turkey beat USA 3-2 – Pulisic performance gives confidence ahead of knockout stage

Mexico is the only host nation in the North American Commonwealth of Nations (USA, Mexico, Canada) World Cup 2026 to be fully registered after three rounds. While the USA and Canada easily advanced to the last-32 round, the USA's last group game fell to Turkey 2–3 in the final moments. However, the knockout route is solid; The U.S. meets Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara next Wednesday.

Although the 'dead rubber' didn't make much of a difference in the outcome of this match (as head-to-head was the primary deciding factor in the group), the action was action-packed from the start. Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to his starting line-up — the fourth most changes made by a single team from one match to the next in World Cup history. The USA got it off to the perfect start: Celtic defender Aston Trusty's backhand push from the back gave them a goal at 2 minutes 14 seconds; Second-fastest opening goal in US World Cup history (next to Clint Dempsey's 30-second goal against Ghana in 2014).

But that lead didn't last long. Turkey, after suffering a bitter scoreless streak with 62 attempts in the first two rounds of the series, finally saw a happy moment. Real Madrid midfielder Arta Guler controlled a pass from Paris Albert Yilmaz and beat USA substitute keeper Mattu Turner with a left-footed shot past the backline after a right-footed touch. 20 minutes after that, it was Guler who started again, sending Eren Elmali into the box; His cut-back belonged to Besiktas player Orgun Kaksu; He pushed across and into the net. Seconds earlier America's Mark McKenzie had a goal ruled out for offside — a bitter twist.

Pochettino made no immediate changes after the break; That hope paid off. The set-piece fell to Sebastian Berhalder, who leveled with his right foot at the near post. After this, AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic, who has recovered from a 13-day leg problem, stepped on the field and upped the ante. He immediately put Turkish keeper Ugursan Sakir to work; Then Brendan Aaronson knocked the rebound in with a whiteout. Moments later Pulisic's deflection hit the post; Then the left leg flexed and the gray knuckle came out.

With chants of “America, America” echoing throughout the stadium, the final kick changed everything in a match that looked set to end in a tie. Artha Guler advances with a neat flick past Pulisic and passes to Khan Uzun; His cross was tapped in by substitute Khan Ayhan to earn Turkey a 3–2 victory.

For Turkey, who had already been eliminated by the double defeats of Australia and Paraguay, this final victory was a consolation with a longing of 'what happened?' Although they ended the US tour with a smile, it doesn't hide the feeling that it was a missed opportunity. Despite this disappointing last-minute punch for the US, Pochettino's main goals of finishing the round without injury and suspension and getting Pulisic back into the game were all accomplished. More importantly, the 'Momentum' track has not deviated. How far is the next leg of the journey for this team moving to the west coast? The answer comes next Wednesday in Santa Clara against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

---

Related Articles

1. Why Are World Cup Games Kicking Off at the Same Time?

2. Mundial 2026