Eliminated Turkey scored a 98th-minute winner to clinch a 3-2 victory over World Cup co-hosts USA, who will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32.
Turkey’s tournament exit was already confirmed after back-to-back losses to Australia and Paraguay in which they failed to score from 62 shots but they restored some pride thanks to substitute Kaan Ayhan’s close-range winner in the final seconds in Los Angeles.
USA, already assured of a round of 32 spot as group winners, went in front in the third minute when Auston Trusty scored from a corner but Turkey fought back with goals from Arda Guler and Baris Yilmaz as Vincenzo Montella’s side belatedly found some cutting edge.
Sebastian Berhalter hauled USA level with a low finish from the edge of the box straight after half-time and there was also a second-half substitute appearance from talisman Christian Pulisic, who struck the post on his return from a calf injury.
It was Turkey, though, who would have the final say as Ayhan forced a cross-shot from fellow substitute Can Uzun over the line to condemn Mauricio Pochettino’s side to a first defeat of the tournament before they head into the knockout stage to face Group B third-place finishers Bosnia-Herzegovina.
