In the 90+8th minute of Group D at the 2026 World Cup , when everyone thought the match would end in a draw, Kaan Ayhan positioned himself perfectly to deliver the decisive close-range shot. The goal not only secured three points but also served as a powerful statement of Turkey's never-give-up spirit, despite their early exit from the tournament.
The host nation, the USA, had a spectacular start.
Although the match was merely a formality as the US team had already secured their place in the next round as group winners, they started the game at a breakneck pace. Taking advantage of their home ground, the US coach's players pushed high up the field right after the opening whistle, creating suffocating pressure on the opponent's half.
In the 3rd minute, from a perfectly executed corner kick, defender Trusty intelligently positioned himself to head the ball into the net, opening the scoring 1-0 against Turkey. This promising start accurately reflected the status of a team ready to compete for the title in this tournament, while Türkiye appeared disoriented and not yet able to adapt to the high intensity of the game.
A world-class performance from Arda Guler.
After a shaky start, Türkiye gradually regained their rhythm, relying on the mobility of their midfield. In the 10th minute, their star player, Arda Guler, made his mark at the right moment. Receiving a perfect pass from Yilmaz, Guler executed a superb finish, leveling the score at 1-1 and relieving the psychological pressure on the entire team.
This goal was a turning point that helped the visitors regain the initiative. Türkiye, from a passive position, switched to playing an open, attacking game. In the 31st minute, just one minute after narrowly avoiding conceding a goal due to an offside call, the visitors executed a textbook counter-attack. Elmali sprinted down the wing before delivering a perfect pass back to Kokcu, who finished with a delicate one-touch shot to make the score 2-1.
Resilience in adversity and a last-minute finishing move.
The second half began unfavorably for Türkiye as they continued to expose their weaknesses in set pieces. In the 49th minute, from a powerful throw-in by the US team, the visiting team's defense failed to clear the ball decisively, allowing Sebastian Berhalter to unleash an accurate long-range shot, leveling the score at 2-2.
The period that followed saw tremendous pressure from the US side. However, goalkeeper Cakir had a phenomenal day with a series of incredible saves, including one that hit the post. This resilience paved the way for a shock in the final minute of injury time. In the 90+8th minute, Uzun delivered a perfect cross for Kaan Ayhan to finish from close range, securing an emotional 3-2 victory.
| Parameter | Türkiye | America |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 3 | 2 |
| Score a goal | Arda Guler (10'), Kokcu (31'), Kaan Ayhan (90+8') | Trusty (3'), Sebastian Berhalter (49') |
| Status | Eliminated (head held high) | Advance (top of the group) |
While this victory couldn't help Türkiye squeeze through the narrow gap to the knockout round, it was a fitting farewell to a talented generation. For the US, this defeat was a valuable lesson about focus before entering the more intense knockout matches at the 2026 World Cup.