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Eliminated Türkiye scored in the 98th minute to earn a 3-2 win over World Cup co-hosts the United States, who will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32.
Turkey’s exit from the tournament was assured after back-to-back losses to Australia and Paraguay in which they failed to score from 62 shots but regained some pride thanks to Kan Ayhan’s close-range winner in the final seconds in Los Angeles.
The USA, already guaranteed a place in the round of 32 as group winners, went in front in the third minute when Auston Trusty scored from a corner but Turkey hit back with goals from Arda Guler and Baris Yilmaz as Vincenzo Montella’s side found some respite late on.
Sebastian Berhalter put the USA level after half-time with a low finish directly from the edge of the box and there was also a second-half substitute appearance from talisman Christian Pulisic, who hit the post after returning from a calf injury.
Turkey were, however, able to claim the final with Ayhan’s cross shot over the line from substitute Can Uzun forcing Mauricio Pochettino’s side to suffer their first defeat of the tournament before they went through to the knockout stages, where they faced Group B third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Highlights from Los Angeles…
- 3: Goal! The USA are leading from a corner of the faithful
- 10: Goal! Guler equalized for Turkey in clinical style
- 30: Offside! Mark McKenzie saw a goal disallowed for the United States
- 31: Goal! Yilmaz converted from close range to put Turkey ahead
- 49: Goal! Berhalter fires home a low finish to equalise
- 58: Pulisic is welcomed back from injury
- 64: Post! Pulisic drives an effort past Turkey goalkeeper Ugurkan Kaki
- 90+8: Goal! Ayhan won it for Turkey at the death
Analysis: Pulisic’s return boosts USA
Turkey’s late winner soured the USA’s mood after their back-to-back wins over Paraguay and Australia but the return of Pulisic from a calf injury in the first half of their opening game was a big positive for Pochettino.
The AC Milan forward, the United States’ best player and scorer of 33 goals in 87 internationals, looked sharp after replacing Timothy Weah in the 58th minute, a chunky cameo that allowed him to build his fitness for crucial games in the knockout stages.
Christian Pulisic returns as a substitute after recovering from a calf injury
Turkey goalkeeper Ugurkan Kaki’s effort hit the post, one of three shots in a spirited display. Cakir was denied after taking a superb Barhalter pass on his chest after racing towards goal on the left side of the box.
USA’s winning start to the tournament has come to an end but Pulisic’s return gives them cause for optimism for the rest of the tournament, with Bosnia-Herzegovina next up on Thursday 2 July at 1am.
McKenney: Defeat will motivate us even more
American midfielder Winston McKenney Said: “Türkiye were very clinical and finished their chances.
“The momentum will still be there for us, for sure. Everyone wants to win the previous game and go into the next game, but I think this will motivate us even more.
“All 26 players we have on this roster can step up and do the job. We believe in everyone on this roster, and everyone will step up and contribute to the team.
“He (Pulisic) is a special player…. He can come in and be that player to create something out of thin air. It was good to see him back on the pitch and hopefully see him again in San Francisco.”
