TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The group stage of the 2026 World Cup concluded for Group D on Friday with dramatic finishes that finalized the section's knockout stage qualifiers. Despite a surprise defeat in their final match, the United States advanced as group winners, while Australia secured the second automatic qualification spot following a scoreless draw against Paraguay.
In Inglewood, the already-eliminated Turkish national team concluded their tournament campaign with a stunning 3-2 victory over the United States at Los Angeles Stadium.
Playing with poise against the group leaders, Turkey overcame an early deficit when the US opened the scoring in the third minute via an Auston Trusty header from a Sebastian Berhalter corner.
Turkey responded quickly, equalizing through Arda Guler in the 10th minute before Orkun Kokcu converted a low cutback in the 31st minute to give the Crescent Stars a 2-1 halftime lead.
The host nation leveled early in the second half when Berhalter turned scorer, striking from the edge of the penalty area in the 48th minute. US coach Mauricio Pochettino introduced Christian Pulisic to sharpen the attack, but Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir pulled off crucial saves to keep the match deadlocked. The tactical decision by Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella to introduce five late substitutes paid off deep in stoppage time when Kaan Ayhan scored the winning goal in the 98th minute.
Despite the loss, the United States still finished top of Group D with six points and will advance to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 on Thursday, July 2, at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Meanwhile, at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, Australia secured automatic qualification for the Round of 32 following a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Paraguay. The result placed the Socceroos second in the group with four points, while Paraguay finished third with four points and must rely on results from other groups to progress.
Australia dictated the early tempo, forcing Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill into an early save from a Jackson Irvine strike in the fourth minute. The Socceroos continued to test the Paraguayan defense before the break with attempts from Jordan Bos and Cristian Volpato, though both were comfortably saved.
The match opened up in the closing stages of the second half as Paraguay's Julio Enciso missed the target in the 81st minute, while Bos remained Australia’s primary offensive threat, sending a curling shot just wide in the 89th minute.
La Albirroja nearly snatched a late victory in the 92nd minute when Mauricio found space in the penalty box, but his effort was safely collected by Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach to seal the scoreless draw.
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