Ayhan's 98th-minute winner came from a chaotic final sequence — Güler the provider, Pulisic nutmegged in the build-up, and Ayhan converting to send the Turkish bench into pandemonium despite knowing the tournament was already over. Turkey exit 1-0-2, a group stage they couldn't survive but a performance that gives Güler and Yıldız genuine momentum. They were scoreless in 2 prior matches and scored 3 in this one — the quality was always there.
Pochettino rotated 9 starters with the group already secured, and for 49 minutes the plan held. Auston Trusty headed in a 3rd-minute corner with Sebastian Berhalter getting the assist, and Berhalter himself equalized in the 49th to level at 2-2 after Turkey's 2-goal burst. The reshuffled backline gave up space it wouldn't normally concede, and the attack without Pulisic from the start couldn't put the game away when chances came.
Pulisic returned from his calf injury as a second-half substitute but was nutmegged in the build-up to Ayhan's winner, with Sergiño Dest also caught out of position and Turner beaten at the near post. Trusty suffered an ankle injury around the 83rd minute with subs already exhausted — his availability for the knockout round is in doubt. 'Turkey were very clinical and finished their chances,' McKennie said afterward. 'The momentum will still be there for us, for sure.' The USA finish 2-0-1 as Group D winners and face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
Our moneyline was USA and the bear bit hard — heavy rotation, Turkey with a full first XI and nothing to lose, and Güler delivering on every bit of the world-class billing we flagged in the bull case. The total hit cleanly: 5 goals on our over call, with Turkey finally converting after going scoreless in their first 2 group matches. Markets had USA as modest favorites going in, and on paper the Americans had the edge; what showed up was a motivated Turkey side that outran a rotated, undermanned USA for 98 minutes. The Americans advance and that is what matters. The Trusty injury is the real story heading into the Round of 32.
United States3-2
Paraguay0-1
Australia0-2
Belgium1-4
Bosnia and Herzegovina2-0Türkiye2-3Australia2-0Paraguay4-1- DoubtfulAuston Trusty — Ankle injury around 83rd minute, no substitutions remaining