Christian Pulisic makes Milan history: USMNT star ties career-best goal total in Serie A comeback win and matches Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s milestone
Milan was once again forced to dig deep, but it managed to fight back and secure a vital win against Como in Serie A. After falling behind in the first half, the Rossoneri mounted another comeback, with Christian Pulisic playing a decisive role yet again. The American winger found the net to draw the Rossoneri level before Tijjani Reijnders sealed the victory with a late winner.
Beyond the immediate importance of the result, Pulisic’s goal carried an even greater significance. With that strike, he reached a career milestone and matched an achievement once set by none other than Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Could this turn out to be the best individual season ever for an American in Europe’s top five leagues?
Milan’s habit of starting slow and finishing strong was once again evident against Como. The visitors took the lead in the 33rd minute, when Luca Da Cunha fired a precise shot into the bottom left corner. Despite having several chances earlier in the game, Sergio Conceicao and his players found themselves behind at halftime, prompting loud jeers from the San Siro crowd.
“I can’t give you a reason, we want to start the game stronger, and I don’t know why this season we’re always in trouble in the first half,” Pulisic admitted to DAZN. “The important thing is to do better in the second.”
Pulisic to Conceicao and Milan’s rescue again
Then, just minutes before the hour-mark, Milan found the breakthrough. Tijjani Reijnders, who had been instrumental in the midfield, played a perfectly weighted ball over the top for Pulisic. From a tight angle, the American winger displayed remarkable composure, striking the ball past the goalkeeper and into the far bottom corner.
That goal was Pulisic’s 15th of the season in all competitions, equaling his previous career-best tally, which he set in his first season at Milan. However, he reached this mark in just 38 games, compared to the 50 matches he needed last season.
What makes this feat even more special is that the 26-year-old has now become the first Red and Blacks player to score 15+ goals in all competitions in each of his first two seasons since Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2010-11 and 2011-12, as per OptaJack.
Historic season for the American and it will get even better
With his latest goal, Pulisic now has nine Serie A goals this season, taking his overall tally for Milan to 30 goals and 17 assists since joining the club. His influence on the team is undeniable, and his ability to deliver in crucial moments has only solidified his importance to the team’s attack.
The USMNT star has also been a key figure in the Italian giant’s recent turn of form. Just last week, he scored a dramatic brace against Lecce, helping Milan overturn a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2. Now, with back-to-back comeback performances, he continues to prove his ability to deliver when it matters most.
Milan’s dominance continued after Pulisic’s equalizer, and the winner finally arrived in the 75th minute. This time, it was Reijnders himself who found the net, calmly finishing past the goalkeeper after a brilliant backheel assist from Tammy Abraham.
With that, Milan secured their second consecutive Serie A victory, moving up to seventh place in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Juventus. The win also keeps Sergio Conceicao’s side in the hunt for a Champions League spot–at least mathematically–though the battle for European qualification remains tight.