A Christian Pulisic assist vs Real Madrid opened the scoring of AC Milan’s surprising 3-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Pulisic’s corner kicks have garnered attention this season after he scored an Olimpico goal against Club Brugge in Milan’s previous Champions League game.
In the 12th minute Pulisic swung in a perfect corner kick that found the head of Malick Thiaw who fired in a powerful strike to give Milan a 1-0 lead.
Christian Pulisic assist vs Real Madrid
Christian Pulisic sets up Malick Thiaw’s first goal with Milan to STUN the Bernabéu pic.twitter.com/UWX7miZqrx
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 5, 2024
Pulisic has two goals in this season’s Champions League and now has his first assist. The star USMNT forward was ready for the big stage of the Bernabéu with a very solid 70-minute shift with Milan.
He was heavily involved with Milan’s second goal as he located Rafael Leão in the box later in the first half. Leão’s shot was saved, however Alvaro Morata pounced on the rebound for Milan’s second of the night.
Álvaro Morata
The Spanish forward capitalizes on the rebound and punishes his former club pic.twitter.com/YCESuH6pWJ— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 5, 2024
Pulisic wasn’t the only American who started Tuesday as Yunus Musah appeared in Milan’s starting XI for just the third time this season. Musah was given a tough task of aiding in defense, specifically on the right side to stop Vinícius Jr.
Vini Jr. was anticipated to go all out for Tuesday’s game in what was his first appearance since the controversial Ballon d’Or snub. Musah did a fantastic job keeping the Brazilian quiet with his lone goal coming from the penalty spot after a sloppy Emerson Royal tackle.
Vini Jr. goes for the Panenka vs. Mike Maignan pic.twitter.com/VkPPG2NOYN
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 5, 2024
Musah played 92 minutes and got a standing ovation from the traveling Milan supporters. What a performance from the 21-year-old American midfielder.
Yunus Musah won’t get any of the headlines — but he put in an unbelievable shift for over 90 minutes, out of position at RWB, to keep Vinicius quiet the entire match
21/24 passing (88%)
2 key passes
2 long balls
3/3 dribbles
6 duels won
1 foul drawn
3 clearances
2 tackles pic.twitter.com/wiBy5ZAfII— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) November 5, 2024
Milan gave themselves breathing space in the 73rd minute with a flawless sequence of passing finished off by Tijjani Reijnders.
What a run from Rafael Leão to set up Tijjani Reijnders and silence the Santiago Bernabéu pic.twitter.com/94RcMwnTJH
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 5, 2024
What a victory for the Rossoneri who completely shut down the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham who both had no impact on the game.