A much-changed USMNT lost to Turkiye with the final kick of the game to silence the home crowd and show the world what we’ve been missing from a Turkish side many thought might be dark horses at this World Cup. 

The USA looked good at times, and shaky at others, with the most questions asked yet of the US defence - perhaps a preview of what they might be able to expect in the knock-out stages. 

Meanwhile Australia and Paraguay played out a 0-0 draw that I’m going to struggle to find a lot to write about, except for the news that Australia will qualify as runners up in this group to enter the knock-out stages. Paraguay will have to wait to see what their fate is depending on the remaining games. 

***

Turkiye 3 - 2 USA

With Turkiye already out of the competition, and USA already guaranteed to progress, this game threatened to be a dead rubber. It nevertheless proved to be a competitive encounter with plenty of spirit on show from both sides, and the final result denied the USA the historic first of winning all three of their group games at a World Cup. 

Turkiye used the opportunity to rotate seven players into the starting XI. On this evidence, you wonder why they didn’t start all along, as they provided the sternest test the USA have faced in this group so far. 

But it was the USMNT who got off to a bright start, controlling the early stages and striking in just the third minute through Auston Trusty to send the home crowd into raptures. 

But that seemed to act like a mental switch for Turkiye, and they suddenly started looking like the threatening team many predicted would be at the tournament, but that we haven’t seen until now as Real Madrid’s Arda Güler levelled for Turkiye in the 10th minute.

USA found themselves getting overrun in their own half, looking slightly unprepared for the Turkish high press. And Orkun Kökçü made it 2-1 Turkiye in the 31st minute after converting a sublime cross from Eren Elmali. 

The USA levelled once more through a great strike from range by Sebastian Berhalter. A long throw from the USA was badly cleared by Turkiye and fell straight to the lethal Berhalter in his preferred spot on the edge of the box to drill home from distance.

A late injury to goalscorer Auston Trusty will be a huge worry for the USA. He went down with what looked to be an extremely painful injury to his left leg in the closing stages. 

And just when we thought the ref was going to blow his whistle with the points shared, Ayhan bundled home a loose ball in the box to claim the win.

Who said dead rubbers aren’t interesting?  

***

Australia 0 - 0 Paraguay

Four shots Australia. One shot Paraguay. Possibly one of the worst games of the tournament. Not one to stir the spirit of the footballing imagination, but I’ll try.

Australia came into this one knowing that all they would need was a draw to go through, and Paraguay too, and they achieved that after a gritty game that Australia largely controlled but rarely threatened to win.

Jordy Bos impressed on the right hand side, and an assured performance from Lucas Herrington caught the eye. 

Paraguay mostly sat back and let Australia have the ball, and almost threatened a couple of times down the right, with Bos a key figure throughout. But there never really looked like being a decisive moment, with the first and best first chance for Australia comfortably saved by Orlando Gil. 

Paraguay didn’t exactly threaten but had some half chances of their own, but ultimately both sides seemed content with a point. Perhaps an indictment of these third round World Cup games where sides know what result they are likely to need to stand a chance come the final whistle. 

Australia now have an 8 day gap between games, when they will play whoever finishes second in Group G. 

Right, I’m not writing another word about that game.

Final table: