Trusty, Berhalter score as USA closes group stage with Türkiye

The USA advances as Group D winner, backed by a record eight-goal group stage and Christian Pulisic’s return.

LOS ANGELES – The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued as the United States of America fell 3-2 to Türkiye in Group D on Thursday at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Mauricio Pochettino shuffled his lineup after the U.S. clinched the top of the group with victories in its first two encounters.

The scoring started just three minutes into the match when Sebastian Berhalter whipped in a corner kick and connected with Auston Trusty at the back post for USA’s opening goal. Trusty’s goal was the 173rd in this year’s FIFA World Cup, surpassing the 2022 edition (172) for the most in the history of the competition.

Türkiye responded in the 10’ as Bariş Alper Yilmaz sent a ball into the middle of the box for Arda Güler to net the equalizer. The visitors took the lead in the 31’ after a great passing sequence from Güler and Eren Elmalı resulted in a tap-in for Orkun Kökçü.

The Stars and Stripes responded in the 49’ as Sebastian Berhalter notched the equalizer with a vicious blast off the bounce from the edge of the box. Berhalter is the first player for the USA to record both a goal and an assist in a FIFA World Cup match on record (since 1966).

U.S. star Christian Pulisic made his anticipated return from injury in the 58', after being removed at halftime of the opener against Paraguay and also missing the following contest against Australia.

Türkiye ended its tournament on a positive note by taking the three points in the 90’+8’, as a deflected shot fell to Kaan Ayhan on the doorstep for the winning tally.

The United States concluded the group stage with eight goals, their most ever in a single World Cup, surpassing their total from the 1930 and 2002 tournaments (7). The USA also scored multiple goals in all three of their group stage matches for the first time.

The USA will play against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM local) at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA.