Turkey struck at the key moments and won a match that the United States created more in
Turkey beat the United States 3-2 at SoFi Stadium in a back-and-forth game, with less possession and fewer shots but greater efficiency. The U.S. generated more: 18 shots to 9 and 53% possession, but it was not enough to hold onto the result.
Turkey came away with a 3-2 win over the United States at SoFi Stadium in a match that offered a very clear takeaway: the winning side was more efficient, while the losing side produced more. Although United States had 53% possession and took 18 shots, compared with 47% and 9 shots for Turkey, the scoreline ultimately favored the Turkish side thanks to better use of their chances.
Tactical read
The numbers show a game in which United States had more of the ball and more attacking volume, but did not turn that advantage into real control of the result. Their 18 shots and 7 on target comfortably surpassed Turkey's 9 shots and 4 on target, but the home side in the result was the one that got the greater return from its attacks.
Turkey, lining up in a 4-2-3-1, was more direct and made better decisions in the decisive areas. Their attacking output came from fewer attempts, but with enough efficiency to score 3 goals. United States, set up in a 4-1-2-3, kept possession more and created more shooting chances, but could only score 2 times. In terms of what each side produced, the match left the feeling that the final score better reflects Turkish punch than American volume.
The disciplinary numbers also matter: Turkey received no yellow cards, while United States finished with 1. It is not a huge detail, but it does fit a night in which Turkey showed more control at the sharp end of the match.
The standout performers
The ratings reinforce the same reading of the match. The best mark went to Sebastian Berhalter with 8.8, in an outing that made sense within a team that created more and shot more. For Turkey, the highest performances came from the players who ended up making the difference on the scoreboard.
- Sebastian Berhalter (United States): 8.8
- Barış Alper Yılmaz (Turkey): 8.3
- Kaan Ayhan (Turkey): 7.6
The second-best rating went to Barış Alper Yılmaz, one of the names that best capitalized on Turkey's efficiency. And Kaan Ayhan also rated well, backed by his contribution in a finish that proved decisive.
The match's turning point was spread across several goals, but the one that ultimately tipped the balance was the last: Kaan Ayhan sealed the 3-2 in the 98'. Before that, Turkey had already responded to Auston Trusty's opener in the 3' with Arda Güler's goal in the 10', then went ahead through Barış Alper Yılmaz in the 31'. United States equalized again through Sebastian Berhalter in the 49', but could not hold on until the end.
In the end, the match left a pretty clear conclusion: United States produced more in volume, but Turkey was more precise in the stretches that truly mattered to the result. In an open game, with early goals and immediate responses from both sides, Turkey's efficiency ended up being worth more than the U.S. edge in possession and shots.
