62 Shots, Zero Goals — Can Turkey Finally Score Against the USA at SoFi?
"USA scored 6 goals in 2 games and have already qualified as Group D winners. Turkey fired 62 shots across 2 games and scored ZERO. This is the most extraordinary statistical story of the entire group stage — and tonight it comes to a head at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles."
🏆 Group D's Wild Finale — 
Türkiye vs 
USA, World Cup 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D closes its chapter at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles as Türkiye face the United States in a clash of two teams going in completely opposite directions. The USA have been everything the home tournament needed — a 4-1 demolition of Paraguay followed by a controlled 2-0 win over Australia, six goals scored, one conceded, back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time since 1930. They are already through as group winners. Türkiye, meanwhile, have produced the most baffling statistical story of the tournament — 62 total shots across two games, the most of any team at this World Cup, and yet zero goals scored. Beaten 2-0 by Australia and 1-0 by Paraguay, eliminated before their final group game. Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız — three of Europe's most talented players — and yet somehow not a single goal. Tonight, in front of a sold-out SoFi Stadium, Turkey must finally find the net. The USA must decide how much to rotate with the knockout rounds in mind.
Indian fans — World Cup 2026 India time and ZEE5 streaming details below!
🔴 FULL TIME RESULT — Türkiye 3-2 USA | Group D | June 26 IST
Türkiye 3-2 USA — SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
⚽ Goals: Türkiye 3 (including Kaan Ayhan 90+9') | USA 2 (Pulisic, Wright)
💥 After 65 shots across the tournament without scoring, Turkey finally found the net — three times — in the most extraordinary fashion. The USA, heavily rotated with Christian Pulisic coming off the bench, went 2-1 up and looked to be cruising. Then Turkey — playing with nothing to lose and everything to prove — produced a stunning comeback. The killer blow came in the 9th minute of stoppage time: Kaan Ayhan bounced a shot through Matt Turner's legs to complete a 3-2 Turkish win that sent SoFi Stadium into stunned silence. It means nothing for the standings — USA top Group D regardless, Turkey are eliminated — but it means everything for Turkish pride. They finally scored. And they left Los Angeles with a victory. Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız finally showed what they were capable of against a rotated American side. The World Cup's most baffling story ends with a dramatic, cathartic finale.
🌟 Man of the Match: Kaan Ayhan (Türkiye) — the stoppage time hero whose strike will be replayed forever.
➡️ What's next: USA top Group D and face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 2. Türkiye are eliminated.
Editor's note: WorldCup26Tips predicted a USA win. We got the group outcome right — USA through as winners — but Turkey's pride, passion and pent-up 65-shot frustration produced one of the tournament's most memorable individual match results. We did not see that stoppage time winner coming.
📋 Match Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Türkiye vs USA |
| Date | June 25, 2026 (June 26 IST) |
| Kickoff | 10:00 PM ET / 7:30 AM IST (June 26) |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (Inglewood) |
| Group | Group D — Matchday 3 (also Paraguay vs Australia) |
| Watch India | ZEE5 app (Unite8 Sports) |
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Türkiye — The Most Baffling Team of the Tournament
Honestly, Turkey's campaign has been simultaneously impressive and infuriating. Let me give you the numbers that don't make sense together: 62 shots, the most of any team at this World Cup. 3.5 xG — 11th best among all 48 nations. And zero goals. Zero. How does that happen? The answer is a combination of poor finishing, incredible goalkeeping from their opponents, and genuinely bad luck — but at some point you have to convert. Kenan Yıldız (Juventus), Arda Güler (Real Madrid) and Baris Alper Yılmaz up front should be scoring goals. Tonight, with absolutely nothing to lose and playing against a heavily rotated USA, this may finally be the night Turkey's luck changes. Hakan Çalhanoğlu with 22 international goals and 105 caps is the heartbeat of this team — if he fires, Turkey can hurt anyone. Turkey's return to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years deserves at least one goal before they go home.
⚠️ Squad News: Kenan Yıldız has recovered from a calf strain and is expected to start. No other injury concerns for Turkey. Manager Vincenzo Montella is expected to name his strongest possible lineup — there is nothing to lose and everything to prove.
Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Altay Bayındır |
| Defence | Zeki Çelik, Merih Demiral, Ozan Kabak, Ferdi Kadıoğlu |
| Midfield | Salih Özcan, Hakan Çalhanoğlu (c) |
| Attack | Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Baris Alper Yılmaz |
| Striker | Halil Akburak / Cenk Tosun |
Key Players to Watch:Hakan Çalhanoğlu
- 🌟 Hakan Çalhanoğlu — Inter Milan's extraordinary midfielder, 22 international goals in 105 caps, Turkey's creative heartbeat — if he plays with freedom tonight, watch out
- ⚽ Arda Güler — Real Madrid's gifted 19-year-old has been one of the most anticipated players of the tournament — tonight is his chance to finally deliver on that promise
- 🎯 Kenan Yıldız — Juventus' Turkish attacker, back from a calf strain — his direct running and creativity is Turkey's best hope of finally scoring
- 🔥 Baris Alper Yılmaz — The winger has been Turkey's most direct threat but has been desperately unlucky in front of goal — 62 shots tell the story of a team that cannot catch a break
USA — The Host Nation Is Flying
What a tournament it has been for the USMNT so far. I genuinely did not expect this level of confidence and clinical finishing from a team that has historically been inconsistent at major tournaments. Mauricio Pochettino has transformed them — the press is intense, the positivity is real, and Folarin Balogun up front has been a revelation with two World Cup goals already. Scoring in the opening 15 minutes of both matches — the first host nation to do so since France 1938 — shows a team playing without fear. The big question tonight is rotation: Tyler Adams, Balogun, Antonee Robinson and Chris Richards all carry yellow cards and must not be risked for suspension ahead of the Round of 32. Christian Pulisic is also doubtful with a calf injury. Pochettino has said publicly he wants to win — but protecting key players has to be the priority.
⚠️ Squad News: Christian Pulisic is doubtful with a calf injury. Tyler Adams, Balogun, Antonee Robinson and Chris Richards are all on yellow cards — all four face the risk of suspension if they play. Pochettino expected to rotate significantly. Haji Wright, Timothy Weah and Giovanni Reyna likely to start.
Predicted lineup (4-3-3):
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Matt Freese |
| Defence | Sergiño Dest, Matt Miazga, Walker Zimmerman, Joe Scally |
| Midfield | Weston McKennie, Gianluca Busio, Giovanni Reyna |
| Attack | Timothy Weah, Haji Wright, Josh Sargent |
Key Players to Watch:Giovanni Reyna
- 🌟 Giovanni Reyna — Borussia Dortmund's gifted attacker scored against Paraguay and will be one of the few USA stars starting tonight — this is his chance to stake a claim for the knockout rounds
- ⚽ Haji Wright — Coventry City's Championship top scorer with 17 goals last season, pushing for his first World Cup start — tonight is his big moment
- 🎯 Timothy Weah — Expected to start for the first time at this tournament — the Juventus winger brings pace and directness from the right flank
- 🔥 Weston McKennie — One of the few USA regulars likely to play — his energy and pressing will be key against Çalhanoğlu's creativity
⚔️ Head to Head — Türkiye vs USA
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Friendly (in USA) | Turkey 2-1 USA |
| 2014 | Friendly | USA 2-1 Turkey |
| All time | 5 meetings total | Turkey 2 wins, USA 2 wins, 1 draw |
| 2026 | World Cup Group D | First ever World Cup meeting |
The head-to-head is perfectly even — two wins each from five meetings. Turkey beat the USA 2-1 in a friendly on American soil just last year — a reminder that this is not a foregone conclusion. This is their first ever World Cup meeting. Turkey are the first CONCACAF opponent Turkey have faced at a World Cup.
🎯 The Key Battle — Çalhanoğlu vs McKennie
With so many USA regulars rested, the midfield battle becomes even more crucial. Hakan Çalhanoğlu — one of the best deep-lying playmakers in world football — faces a less experienced USA midfield without Tyler Adams to mark him. If Çalhanoğlu has the freedom to pick passes and drive forward, Turkey will finally create clear-cut chances. Weston McKennie will need to step up and fill Adams' pressing role — his energy and physicality will be vital to stop Çalhanoğlu from turning and distributing. This is the battle that decides whether Turkey finally end their goal drought or leave this World Cup without ever finding the net.
💭 My Personal Take
I cannot stop thinking about Turkey's 62 shots and zero goals. That statistic will haunt Vincenzo Montella for years. But here is my honest read: Turkey are not a bad team. They have been genuinely unlucky — post, crossbar, brilliant goalkeeping from two very good keepers. Tonight, against a rotated USA side missing Adams, Balogun and Pulisic, I think Turkey finally score. And I think it will be Arda Güler. That 19-year-old has been quiet for two games but I have watched him play for Real Madrid and he is capable of producing something magical out of nowhere. My gut says Turkey 1-1 USA in one of the more entertaining dead rubbers you'll see at a World Cup. SoFi sold out, home crowd electric, USA fringe players wanting to impress — this will be fun to watch.
🌍 Group D Standings Before Matchday 3
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +5 | 6 |
 Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
 Paraguay | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Türkiye | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
💰 Betting Odds
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Türkiye Win | 5/2 |
| Draw | 10/3 |
| USA Win | 1/1 |
🌶️ Hot Take
Turkey Double Chance (Turkey or Draw) is the most interesting bet on tonight's card. USA are rotating heavily — Adams, Balogun, Pulisic and Robinson all likely missing. Turkey have the highest xG of any eliminated team at this World Cup and 62 shots worth of pent-up frustration. A rotated USA side facing Çalhanoğlu without their best defensive midfielder is a very different proposition to what Australia and Paraguay faced. Turkey won 2-1 in a friendly at this very country last year. The Double Chance at around 11/8 is worth a serious look. And if you want more value — Over 2.5 Goals at around 11/10 given how open this game will be with both sides' motivations and Turkey finally needing to score.
🔮 Our Prediction
USA have too much quality even with rotation, and the SoFi home crowd will carry them through. But Turkey will FINALLY score tonight — 62 shots cannot all go in without reward forever. Expect an open, entertaining match before USA's depth tells in the second half.
| Prediction | Our Pick |
|---|---|
| ⚽ Result | USA Win |
| 📊 Score | USA 2-1 Türkiye |
| 🌟 Man of the Match | Giovanni Reyna |
| ⚽ First Scorer | Haji Wright |
| 🎯 Key Stat | Turkey fired 62 shots and scored zero goals — the most extraordinary stat of this entire World Cup group stage |
| 💡 Betting Angle | Turkey Double Chance — heavy USA rotation, Çalhanoğlu without Adams to mark him, Turkey's 62 shots finally click |
📺 How to Watch in 
India
- 📱 ZEE5 app — Live streaming
- 📺 Unite8 Sports 1 / Sports 1 HD — Live TV
- 📡 DD Sports — Free broadcast (Quarter Finals onwards)
- 🎙️ Commentary in English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bangla
"Indian fans searching for Turkey vs USA live stream — kickoff 7:30 AM IST June 26. FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D results at WorldCup26Tips."
❓ FAQ — Türkiye vs USA World Cup 2026
Q: What time is Turkey vs USA in India?
A: 7:30 AM IST on June 26, 2026. Live on ZEE5 app and Unite8 Sports.
Q: Are Turkey eliminated?
A: Yes — Turkey are mathematically eliminated after losing their first two Group D matches without scoring a single goal.
Q: How many shots has Turkey had without scoring?
A: Turkey have fired 62 shots — the most of any team at this World Cup — and scored zero goals. One of the most remarkable statistics in World Cup history.
Q: Will Christian Pulisic play?
A: Pulisic is doubtful with a calf injury and is likely to be rested. Several other USA regulars including Balogun and Adams may also be rested due to yellow card risks.
Q: Who is Arda Güler?
A: Real Madrid's 19-year-old Turkish attacking midfielder — one of the most gifted young players in world football and Turkey's best hope of finally scoring at this tournament.
Q: What is Group D at World Cup 2026?
A: Group D features USA, Australia, Paraguay and Turkey. USA lead with 6 points, Australia and Paraguay both have 3, Turkey are eliminated with 0 points.
Also Read: Japan vs Sweden — World Cup 2026 Group F Matchday 3
FIFA World Cup 2026 India mein ZEE5 par live dekha ja sakta hai! Turkey vs USA — kya Turkey apna pehla goal score karega aaj raat SoFi mein? Miss na karein! WorldCup26Tips ko bookmark karein! 🇮🇳⚽
Can Turkey finally end their goal drought against a rotated USA — or will the home crowd carry the USMNT to a perfect group stage? Drop your prediction below! 👇⚽
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