Pulisic opens the scoring for Chelsea against Real Madrid
The US international, in a fine spell of form, scored the opening goal of the Champions League semi-final first leg, at Valdebebas in Madrid
Christian Pulisic rounded Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 14th minute of Chelsea’s first leg Champions League semi-final, steadied himself, eyed up the situation and let fly, his shot hit defender Rafael Varane, but didn’t stop the ball flying into the net. Real Madrid 0-1 Chelsea. And another goal from the US soccer international.
Chelsea started far brighter than Real Madrid, Pulisic made it count
Chelsea had started the Champions League tie, being played at Real Madrid’s second ground, the Di Stéfano stadium, on the Spanish capital’s north-eastern outskirts, more brightly than their Spanish counterparts and a couple of minutes before Pulisic fired home, Courtois had produced a stunning stop with his legs to deny Timo Werner when it looked certain the Chelsea player would score. But the Belgian keeper could do nothing to stop Pulisic as the midfielder latched onto a fine ball and went round the goalie, who was left stranded on the deck.
Pulisic: first American to score in a Champions League semi-final
The Chelsea midfielder's goal means he's now scored the most goals by an American in the Champions League, moving one ahead of DaMarcus Beasley on four. Pulisic also becomes the first American to score in a Champions League semi-final.
With his goal Pulisic now has four goals in his last six starts across all competitions. He’s hitting his stride at just the right time.