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Turkey stuns USA 3-2 with final kick of World Cup Group D finale
By Sanjesh Singh at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 4 min read
That’s not quite the way the U.S. men’s national team wanted to end the World Cup group stage.
With the final action of the game, Turkish defender Kaan Ayhan stabbed home from close range in he 98th minute to take all three points in a 3-2 win in Los Angeles .
Ayhan came off the bench in...
Key takeaway With the final action of the game, Turkish defender Kaan Ayhan stabbed home from close range in he 98th minute to take all three points in a 3-2 win in Los Angeles.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The stunning 3-2 loss to Turkey in the World Cup Group D finale has left the US men's national team with a sour taste, especially given the dramatic finish in front of a Los Angeles crowd. This match, played in the city, brought international attention to the local soccer scene, and the outcome will likely be debated by fans in the community. The fact that the US team was seeking to make history with a 3-0-0 record in the group stage adds to the disappointment. The performance of the rotated side, with Weston McKennie as the only regular starter, raises questions about the team's depth and preparedness for future matches. As the city's soccer fans process this unexpected result, they will be watching to see how the team bounces back from this setback and how it will impact their chances in the tournament.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? That’s not quite the way the U.S. men’s national team wanted to end the World Cup group stage.
With the final action of the game, Turkish defender Kaan Ayhan stabbed home from close range in he 98th minute to take all three points in a 3-2 win in Los Angeles.
Ayhan came off the bench in...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sanjesh Singh at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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