Christian Pulisic made it two goals in two games against Lille as Chelsea defated the defending Ligue 1 champion 2-1 on Wednesday to win 4-1 on aggregate and advance to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. The Pulisic goal vs Lille came at a perfect time for the Blues, who had struggled to create any chances in the first half.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel employed a new 5-3-2 formation in the first half that saw Kai Havertz and Pulisic as a joint striker pair. The move was understandable as the Blues looked to defend a 2-0 aggregate lead, but after no shots through 40 minutes things weren't looking good.
With Chelsea trailing 1-0, Jorginho threaded a perfect pass to Pulisic who comfortably tucked in the equalizer in first half stoppage time.
Christian Pulisic Goal vs Lille
CHRISTIAN PULISIC. CLINICAL.
The pass from Jorginho though. pic.twitter.com/Pz4mP9QBXm— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 16, 2022
All-time top American goalscorers (group stage to final):
⚽️7⃣ Christian Pulišić
⚽️4⃣ DaMarcus Beasley
⚽️2⃣ Fabian Johnson
⚽️2⃣ Jermaine Jones
⚽️2⃣ Weston McKennie
⚽️2⃣ Jordan Siebatcheu #UCL pic.twitter.com/bftsXu9S3P— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 16, 2022
This was Pulisic’s seventh Champions League goal in his career and his second in two games. The American thankfully spared us from another one of his griddy celebrations. Pulisic was clowned on the internet for his weak attempt at the viral dance the last time he found the net against Lille.
Christian Pulisic starts for Chelsea in the #UCL.
Will he hit the griddy again? pic.twitter.com/71bvHz5BqQ— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 16, 2022
Pulisic massive baller , learned from his mistakes and didn’t hit the griddy again
— Yass (@AflatonYassir) March 16, 2022
The victory wasn’t as comfortable as the score suggested. Lille brought the aggregate within one after Burak Yilmaz scored a penalty kick in the 38th minute. VAR determined Jorginho had handled the ball and Yilmaz stepped up with a perfect penalty kick.
Burak Yılmaz. Top corner. Lifeline for Lille. pic.twitter.com/BWek2oL9XS
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 16, 2022
Pulisic’s equalizer served as a massive sigh of relief for the Chelsea faithful, but Lille didn’t roll over and call it a night in the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Around 15 minutes into the second half, Lille midfielder Xeca rattled Chelsea’s post with a point-blank header. Had Xeca’s goal gone in, it would have truly been game on.
In the 58th minute, U.S. Soccer history was made when Tim Weah was substituted into the game. The occasion marked the first time in Champions League history that two Americans faced off in the knockout stages.
Weah won’t remember the night as fondly as Pulisic. In the 71st minute Weah was inches away from stopping a César Azpilicueta shot. The American wasn’t able to intervene, and the Chelsea captain sealed the victory for Chelsea with a goal off his knee.
César Azpilicueta puts Chelsea into the #UCL quaterfinals...with his knee. pic.twitter.com/KHtE5uoGWC
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 16, 2022
Pulisic and Chelsea will discover their opponent in the UCL quarterfinals during the draw on Friday.
Pulisic and Weah are locks for the USMNT roster that will be released on Thursday. Both players have a game this Saturday before heading back stateside for the final three World Cup qualifiers.
