If you’ve already seen the Christian Pulisic goal from Thursday’s Europa League game between AC Milan and Slavia Praha, then you know we’re being sarcastic with our headline.
Pulisic scored Milan’s fourth goal in a 4-2 victory at San Siro, but we’ll admit he may or may not have stolen a goal from Rafael Leão.
In the 85th minute Pulisic was involved in the build-up of what turned out to be a dazzling run and clever finish from Leão. Pulisic then helped it over the line at the last moment.
The internet is quick with the memes and joke videos.
Pulisic steals Leão goal
Christian Pulisic applies the finishing touch after a lovely individual effort from Rafa Leão pic.twitter.com/zkstl1pVPy
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 7, 2024
Pulisic goal pic.twitter.com/09ImGnw9b0
— Saturnion :) (@saturnion13) March 7, 2024
Pulisic pic.twitter.com/71BFksdCi0
— (@Pirichello) March 7, 2024
There’s no harm in making sure the ball goes over the line. This goal won’t be making it on any Pulisic highlight reels, but a goal is a goal.
A similar situation happened with fellow USMNT teammate Weston McKennie earlier this season. Dusan Vlahovic tapped in a headed McKennie effort at the last second to claim the goal and deny the American midfielder his first of the season.
Dusan Vlahovic may have stolen Weston McKennie's first goal of the season for Juventus. pic.twitter.com/ecIqC55CEw
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 21, 2024
It happens.
Leão shouldn’t be too upset about the stolen goal given what he said earlier in the week. In a recent interview the Portuguese star said that he disliked the heavy focus on stats in today’s age of the sport.
“Football today is just statistics. And I don’t like it,” Leao said in an interview. “Football is magic, joy. It makes me angry that people only think about numbers. If you have a bad game, but then you score, they say ‘Wow.’ I’m not like that. Because people have to have fun. So I have to have fun, too. I’m for beauty.”
See, the guy doesn’t care about the stats so hopefully he and Pulisic won’t have any hard feelings.
As for Pulisic, the goal puts an exclamation point on a solid day at the office. For the third time in two games, he drew a red card for opponent.
This time around he was the recipient of a dangerous tackle from Slavia Praha’s 19-year-old defender Diouf in the first half. USMNT fans had hearts in mouths worried that Pulisic had been injured but he was able to continue.
Milan looked to be cruising after the Italian club took a 3-1 lead into halftime but in the second half found themselves in a tight 3-2 contest despite the man advantage. Pulisic’s goal in the 85th minute will give them some breathing space in the return leg next Thursday.
Pulisic now has nine goals and seven assists this season. You know… if anyone cares about stats out there.
AC Milan vs. Slavia Praha full highlights
