Kaan Ayhan stuns United States with last-ditch winner for Turkey
"I'm super happy with how they played tonight, they showed all of their skills, abilities and character," Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said
Turkey ended their goal drought as substitute Kaan Ayhan steered in a winner deep into stoppage time to secure a 3-2 win over the United States.
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Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter scored early in each half for the co-hosts in Los Angeles, either side of goals from Arda Guler and Baris Yilmaz, but Ayhan had the final say to restore some Turkish pride despite finishing bottom of Group D.
A US side showing 10 changes from the win over Australia made a rapid start, the sole survivor Weston McKennie and Trusty going close from early corners before Trusty fired in after being left alone at the far post from a third after only two minutes.
But having failed to score with 62 attempts on goal in their opening two matches, Turkey equalised with their 63rd after 10 minutes, Guler slipping a reverse pass from Yilmaz past Matt Turner to leave Panama as the only team without a goal.
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Mark McKenzie thought he had restored the US lead, but was flagged offside as he turned in a rebound amid more poor defending from a corner, and Turkey were ahead a minute later – Yilmaz credited with the goal for a slight touch as Orkun Kokcu finished a sharp move as Eren Elmali pulled Guler’s flick back into his path.
Their lead lasted just four minutes into the second half as they again failed to defend a set-piece, a long throw falling to Sebastian Berhalter on the edge of the box, who drove it past the helpless Ugurcan Cakir.
Christian Pulisic, out since half-time of the opening match with a calf injury, was introduced just before and went close to a goal three times – Cakir thwarting his effort after being released on the left and turning an effort which almost looped over him onto the post, but could only watch a third effort fizz narrowly wide of a post from distance.
Turkey snatched the victory eight minutes into stoppage time as Guler wriggled clear in the corner, the US defence failing to deal with a cross and as the ball was played back across goal, Ayhan was on hand to turn the ball in.
"I'm super happy with how they played tonight, they showed all of their skills, abilities and character," Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said.
"If they weren't strong they wouldn't have made it tonight. We can go back home with our chin up."