Turkey scored a winning goal in the 98th minute against USA, substitute Kaan Ayhan snatching a 3-2 victory in Los Angeles with the last kick of the game. The dramatic strike stunned the World Cup hosts and sent a star-studded crowd — including Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton — into a frenzy at SoFi Stadium. But the result was not enough to keep Turkey in the tournament. Australia’s goalless draw with Paraguay earlier in the night confirmed Arda Guler and his teammates would finish bottom of Group D, eliminated despite taking all three points.
Overnight Action
The night’s action delivered six matches packed with emotion, history and controversy. Turkey’s victory came after a breathless contest. Auston Trusty fired USA ahead in the third minute before Guler levelled seven minutes later. Baris Alper Yilmaz put Turkey ahead just past the hour mark, only for Sebastian Berhalter to thunder home an equaliser from outside the penalty area four minutes after the break. The second half swung end to end until Ayhan’s stoppage-time heroics. USA’s rotated side, managed by Mauricio Pochettino, nevertheless finished top of Group D with six points.
Australia secured second place in Group D with a nervy 0-0 draw against Paraguay. The result confirmed Tony Popovic’s side would advance to the knockout stages. “Unbelievable. Just so proud of everyone involved. It’s a wonderful young group of men,” Popovic said afterwards. “We’ll now go to Dallas and try and do something special. Overall we deserved it. We were very good today.” As things stand, Australia are set to face Iran in the last 32, although that matchup is far from locked in, with Group G still wide open heading into its final round of fixtures.
Ecuador produced an emotional qualification of their own, beating Germany 2-1 in Group E. Leroy Sane gave Germany the lead in the second minute, but Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo equalised before Gonzalo Plata poked home a late winner after beating Manuel Neuer to a flick-on from a corner. Ecuador held on, sparking tearful scenes. Manager Sebastian Beccacece, who had faced intense criticism after a draw with Curacao and admitted his job was on the line, climbed into the stands in New Jersey to embrace his family. The victory sent Ecuador into the knockout stages for just the second time in their history. For Germany, defeat extended a troubling run: they have now lost as many World Cup games (four) as they have won since lifting the trophy in 2014.
Ivory Coast booked their place in the knockout rounds for the first time ever with a comfortable 2-0 win over Curacao in Group E. Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe scored either side of half-time, the first arriving after a mix-up between Curacao defenders Jurien Gaari and Joshua Brenet allowed Liverpool target Yan Diomande to set him up. Pepe curled home his second from 15 yards after a fine pass from Ibrahim Sangare. Curacao, who had moments through Tahith Chong and Leandro Bacuna, exit their first World Cup without a win. Ivory Coast, overlooked before the tournament in favour of Morocco and Senegal, now have two emerging stars in Diomande and Christ Inao Oulai and will face either France or Norway in the last 32. Norway need a win against France on Friday to avoid that matchup.
The Netherlands finished top of Group F after a 3-1 win over Tunisia in which they were gifted an early lead. Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri put through his own net after three minutes, and Brian Brobbey made it 2-0 four minutes later. Tunisia, who sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi after one game, pulled one back through Hazem Mastouri but Tottenham defender Jan Paul van Hecke headed in from a corner to restore the two-goal lead. Tunisia conceded 12 goals in three matches, scoring only two. The Netherlands will now face Morocco in the last 32.
Japan and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw in Group F that suited both sides. Daizen Maeda put Japan ahead after good work from Ayase Ueda and Ritsu Doan, but Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga equalised with a fine strike from distance that Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki saw late. Both teams were content with the point that sent them through. Sweden, managed by Graham Potter, will face Brazil in the knockout stages; Japan will meet France.
One bizarre moment caught the eye during Tunisia’s defeat: the North African side returned to kick off the second half with only 10 players, causing a delay that frustrated Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman. Cameras caught the Dutch coach’s displeasure as the referee paused proceedings until Skhiri belatedly emerged from the tunnel.
Off the pitch, Daily Mail Sport’s Ian Herbert journeyed to Odessa, Texas — home of the Permian High School American Football team immortalised in Friday Night Lights — to gauge soccer’s inroads into America’s football heartland. Head coach Jeff Ellison, better known locally than Pochettino, insisted Herbert take a team helmet as a gift. The souvenir, costing £150 to post home, now travels with him as a reminder of American hospitality.
Third-Place Rankings: The Race for Knockout Qualification
The scramble for a place in the knockout stages does not end with the group winners and runners-up. Under this World Cup’s format, the eight best third-placed teams across all groups also advance. With the group stage drawing to a close, the third-place standings have become the focus of intense calculation — particularly for Scotland, whose prospects have been dealt a heavy blow by Thursday’s results.
The current table, based on all completed group matches, shows Sweden leading the third-place ranking with four points (goal difference 0), ahead of Ecuador (four points, GD 0) and Bosnia & Herzegovina (four points, GD -1). Paraguay, who drew with Australia, also have four points and a GD of -2, placing them fourth. Croatia are fifth on three points (GD -1) but have only played two matches, while South Korea (three points, GD -1) and Algeria (three points, GD -2, also with one match left) sit sixth and seventh. Scotland, who finished Group C on three points, have slipped to eighth after Thursday’s action — holding the final qualifying berth by the narrowest of margins. Cape Verde, yet to lose, have two points from two games, and Belgium have two points from two. Congo DR have one point; Senegal are bottom with zero.
The criteria for ranking third-placed teams are standard: points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head records if applicable. Scotland’s GD of -3 leaves them dangerously exposed. Every match on Friday will affect the table: Croatia, Algeria, Cape Verde, Belgium and Congo DR all still have group fixtures to play, while Senegal face Iraq in a must-win game. A win for any of those sides could push Scotland out of the top eight. For Paraguay, the hard-fought draw that earned them four points puts them in a strong position — but nothing is secure until the final group matches conclude.
Today’s Games
Friday’s programme features six matches, many with direct implications for the third-place standings and knockout matchups.
Norway vs France (8PM, Boston, ITV1) — The headliner pits Kylian Mbappe against Erling Haaland, both having scored four goals in their first two matches. Norway need a win to avoid meeting Ivory Coast in the last 32; France are already through. Prediction: Draw.
Senegal vs Iraq (8PM, Toronto, ITV4) — A must-win for both sides. Senegal, AFCON champions, have had their defensive weaknesses exposed. Iraq are still searching for their first ever World Cup point. Prediction: Draw.
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (1AM, Houston, ITV4) — Tournament debutants Cape Verde have been one of the stories of the World Cup, drawing with Spain and Uruguay. A win here could send them into the knockout stages for the first time. Saudi Arabia have struggled since their 2022 upset of Argentina. Prediction: Cape Verde win.
Uruguay vs Spain (1AM, Guadalajara, ITV1) — Spain clicked into gear against Saudi Arabia and need a win to secure top spot. Uruguay have underwhelmed under Marcelo Bielsa. Prediction: Spain win.
Egypt vs Iran (4AM, Seattle, BBC Two) — Egypt won their first ever World Cup match last time out against New Zealand; a draw will be enough to top Group G. Iran, with two points, need at least a draw to keep their knockout hopes alive. Prediction: Draw.
New Zealand vs Belgium (4AM, Vancouver, BBC One) — Belgium have not scored a goal from a Belgian player in over four World Cup matches, a run spanning 69 shots since Michy Batshuayi’s winner against Canada in November 2022. Jeremy Doku is available again after missing the Iran match for the birth of his first child. New Zealand, the lowest-ranked team at the tournament, have shown they can cause problems. Prediction: Belgium win.
