Christian Pulisic has been setting the benchmark for Americans in soccer, and the young guns are slowly catching up. One such record tumbled this week during the UEFA Champions League playoff round first leg.
Florian Balogun Breaks Christian Pulisic’s UEFA Champions League Record
Florian Balogun set the world alight this week when he led the attack for AS Monaco at the Stade Louis II against Paris Saint-Germain. The USMNT star opened the scoring after just 55 seconds in the match, heading in a beautiful cross from Aleksandr Golovin.
The American doubled the lead 17 minutes later, making it a stunning lead for the Monaco side against the reigning champions. The goal set a USMNT record and saw Pulisic removed from the history books for a record he held for a year.
The AC Milan star scored four goals in nine UEFA Champions League matches last season, setting the record for most goals by an American in the competition’s single edition. The San Siro side finished 8th in Serie A last season and is not in the competition this season, so Pulisic has no chance to improve his record.
AC Monaco star Balogun has taken full advantage of the situation and made the record his own. His brace against PSG saw his tally go to five goals in nine matches this season.
The former Arsenal man will have at least one more chance to get on the scoresheet again when AS Monaco travels across France to face PSG in the second leg next week. However, the chances of playing more Champions League games this season look bleak.
While Balogun’s brace gave AS Monaco a 2-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes, PSG managed to make a comeback in the game and take a 3-2 lead in the first leg.
READ MORE: USMNT Great Tips Weston McKennie for Premier League Switch, Says He Improves ‘Any Team’
Vitinha had the chance to make it 2-1 in the 22nd minute, but missed the penalty, and things got worse within minutes for the Ligue 1 champions. Ousmane Dembele was forced off injured five minutes later and replaced by Desire Soue, who got on the scoresheet within minutes. Achraf Hakimi made it 2-2 before the halftime whistle, leaving the home fans and players stunned.
Golovin’s red card 3 minutes after the break turned the match on its head, and PSG turned the match around. Doue got his brace after the hour mark and completed the comeback to make it 3-2. Luis Enrique’s side held their nerves and kept the lead, and will now host AS Monaco in the second leg next week.
