Turkey secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts the United States with the final kick of their FIFA World Cup Group D clash on Friday, although the Americans still progressed to the knockout stage as group winners.
Key Highlight:
- Turkey stun USA with late winner – Turkey secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over the United States with a stoppage-time goal in their Group D clash at the FIFA World Cup.
- USA still top Group D despite defeat – Despite losing, the United States advanced to the Round of 32 as Group D winners after winning their opening two matches.
- Fast start for hosts – Auston Trusty gave the hosts an early lead after just three minutes, scoring one of the fastest World Cup goals in U.S. history.
- Turkey fight back to claim victory – Goals from Arda Güler, Barış Alper Yılmaz, and a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Kaan Ayhan secured Turkey’s first World Cup win since 2002.
- Pochettino remains optimistic – USA coach Mauricio Pochettino said the defeat would help strengthen his team ahead of their Round of 32 clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The United States made a dream start at Los Angeles Stadium when defender Auston Trusty fired home from a corner after just three minutes, registering one of the fastest World Cup goals in the nation’s history.
Turkey responded strongly, with Arda Güler equalising in the 10th minute before Barış Alper Yılmaz put his side ahead in the 31st minute, after a sweeping attacking move orchestrated by Güler and Orkun Kökçü.
The hosts restored parity shortly after the restart as Sebastian Berhalter struck from long range in the 49th minute to make it 2-2.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side pushed for a winner, with substitute Christian Pulisic coming close on several occasions, including an effort brilliantly tipped onto the post by Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır.
However, with the match deep into stoppage time, Kaan Ayhan turned home Can Uzun’s touch in the eighth minute of added time to hand Turkey their first FIFA World Cup victory since 2002.
Read also:
- Turkey Arrests Over 200 ISIS Terrorists Ahead Of NATO Summit
- Balogun nets brace as USA crush Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup opener
- UAE Bans Social Media Use For Children Under 15
- Australia stun Turkey 2-0 in World Cup Group D clash
Turkey, who had already been eliminated after losing their first two group matches, bowed out of the tournament on a high note with a memorable victory over the tournament co-hosts.
After the match, USA coach Mauricio Pochettino insisted the defeat would strengthen his team ahead of the knockout rounds.
“We are ready and much better than before this game because we have players with 90 minutes in their legs and ready to help,” he said.
The Argentine congratulated his players for topping what he described as a difficult group and maintained that the experience gained against Turkey would prove valuable in the next phase of the competition.
