Thursday, October 1, 2026
73 ° Clear
73 ° Clear
The USMNT's final group-stage match was probably the most anticipated game in Group D before the 2026 World Cup kicked off. USA vs Turkiye were pegged as the favorites, with the European side being dubbed a major dark horse at this tournament. After two games, the USA sit on six points and secured the top spot outright in Group D, while Turkiye has taken over 60 shots and found no goals in two losses, seeing their World Cup dreams shattered. The two met in the final game that went from anticipation to a dead rubber match.
Because the USMNT has clinched the top spot in Group D before their final group stage match vs Turkiye, head coach Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to the starting XI from their last match. The only starters who played six days earlier against Australia are backup striker Ricardo Pepi, who was in because of Christian Pulisic's injury, and Weston McKennie, who wore the captain's armband.
USA Starting XI vs Turkiye. Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Turner
LB: Trusty CB: McKenzie CB: M. Robinson RB: Scally
CM: McKennie CM: Berhalter
LW: Aaronson CAM: Renyna RM: Weah
ST: Pepi
Turkiye has been eliminated at the 2026 World Cup after two matches, in what has been a devastating turn of events. Their first match, a shocking 2-0 loss against Australia, showed they were not ready for the tournament. Following that up with a shutout loss to Paraguay meant elimination. Their swan-song game featured seven changes to their starting XI, but young star attackers Arda Güler, Kenan Yildiz, and Baris Yilmaz were asked to score a goal and possibly earn a point at this World Cup.
Turkiye Starting XI vs USA. Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Çakir
LB:Çelik CB: Bardakci CB: Kabak RB: Elmali
CM: Kökcü CM: Özcan
LW: Aydin CAM: Güler RM: Yildiz
The USMNT started the match having already made history as group champions, and also used 21 of 26 players on their roster through three group-stage games. In the opening minutes, the USA was on the front foot. Getting a corner inside the first two minutes that was almost steered home by former Philadelphia Union defender, Auston Trusty. On the second try, Berhlater found Trusty again, and this time, the Media, PA native rocketed his shot into the back of the net. The USMNT led Turkiye 1-0 just three minutes into the match!
At the 10-minute mark, Turkiye showed its attacking quality with a few quick passes. Yilmaz drew the USA centerbacks wide right. This allowed Güler to run in behind the USA backline. Yilmaz's pass was perfectly in to Güler's stride, and the star youngster was able to beat an onrushing Matt Turner to get Turkiye's first goal of the 2026 World Cup.
One thing that was evident on the USA side was their ability to seamlessly play Pochettino's style despite being mostly substitutes. This team looks the same in the attacking moments, no matter who is playing. The rest of the defense is a bit of a different story, as Turkiye pushed the tempo. The USA's counter to that was to keep the ball from left to right, forcing Turkiye to chase them.
Things got chippy after the water break as Yilmaz and McKenzie got into a few scuffles. It then looked like McKenzie would score his first USA goal off another corner, but he was deemed offside even though the ball bounced off of Turkiye players. Minutes later, Güler made a move that looked like Messi's, playing a one-two through the U.S. defense. He then played an inch-perfect pass to Kökcü, who guided the ball into the net in the 31st minute. Turkiye was up 2-1, and they finally looked like the darkhorse they were projected to be. Scoring twice on your first two shots after going 0-for-62 before that also helps.
The final 10 minutes and stoppage of the first half were the first time the USA felt adversity at the 2026 World Cup. Both teams battled to create chances, but none presented themselves clearly. The USMNT was down 2-1 at halftime, and Pochettino and his team would need to rally to get points in this match.
Neither team made any changes after halftime, and the USMNT set the tempo to start the second half. Great combinations from Reyna, Weah, and Aaronson resulted in more corners and long throw-in opportunities for the U.S. After one of them in the 49th minute, Sebastian Berhalter found the ball on the top of the box and smashed it. The grass-cutting shot slalomed its way into the net to tie the game for the USA. Berhlater went and grabbed the ball from the Turkiye net and urged the crowd that more would be coming for the United States!
The tying goal for the USMNT was their eighth of the 2026 group stage, the most the nation has ever scored in that phase at a World Cup. Pochettino was not satisfied with just a point; he brought on Christian Pulisic for Tim Weah in the 58th minute. His goal: get back to match fitness and find the game-winning goal. Minutes into his time on the field, Reyna played Pulisic in on goal, but Turkiye scrambled to clear the ball away.
The impact of Pulisic cannot be understated. Before he came on, Pochettino could be seen giving him instructions, and the USA playmaker looked like an old-school winger with boots on the touchline, spreading Turkiye's defense and running in behind on goal, pushing for the winner.
After the second half water break, both teams continued to play an open game. With 14 minutes left, the USMNT made a triple substitution, bringing on Dest, Zendejas, and Freeman for Reyna, Aaronson, and Scally. The subs were for stability in defense and confidence to keep attacking.
The final 10 minutes plus stoppage time were frantic as both teams pushed for a winner. For a game that was about as non-competitive a competitive game as can be, this one had fireworks. McKennie was subbed off for the USMNT in the 86th minute for Malik Tillman, giving the captain's armband to Pulisic.
Unfortunately for the USMNT, Turkiye scored in the 90+8th minute after Ayhan tapped in one of the final kicks in the match. They get their first and only win at the 2026 World Cup. A small consolation prize before they head home to face the music of a nation furious with their effort after being eliminated in just two games.
Even though the USMNT was unable to secure a win in their final group stage match, they ended this phase of the 2026 World Cup as Group D winners. Six points from three games, a +4 goal differential. The USA is through to the knockout rounds in the Round of 32, where they have a 99.9% chance of playing Bosnia and Herzegovina.
That game will be on Wednesday, July 1st, in Santa Clara, California. That game will be at 8 pm ET, and now the USMNT will have to show their nation that they can bounce back and get the taste of a rubber-match loss out of their mouths.
