Christian Pulisic couldn't contain his excitement after AC Milan's incredible 3-1 victory over Real Madrid at the legendary Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, an unforgettable night that he described as "really special." The U.S. international played a key role in helping the Italian side secure this monumental win over the reigning Champions League holders, sending Milan on their way to a remarkable triumph.
The story of the match began in the 12th minute when Pulisic delivered a pinpoint corner kick that found Malick Thiaw, who expertly headed it past Real Madrid's goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin, giving Milan an early 1-0 lead. It was a perfect start to a high-pressure game, and from there, Milan never looked back.
"Amazing result for us," Pulisic told CBS Sports after the match. "I mean, to come here and play is, of course, not easy. Their history in the Champions League makes it even more daunting. It's a tough place to come and play, but for us to put on a performance like that and win the game—obviously, a really special night for us."
But Madrid wasn't about to let this match slip away easily. The home team, as expected, pushed back, and just 11 minutes after Milan’s opening goal, Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior stepped up to take a penalty after being fouled in the box. He calmly slotted it home to level the score 1-1 in the 23rd minute, briefly silencing the traveling Milan fans.
However, Pulisic once again found himself in the thick of the action, orchestrating the play that put Milan back in the lead. The American winger made a clever pass into the penalty area to Rafael Leão, whose shot was saved by Lunin. But the rebound fell right into the path of Álvaro Morata, who was quick to pounce on it, firing the ball into the net and putting Milan ahead once more. For Morata, it was a particularly sweet moment—he had been on the receiving end of some hostile treatment from the home crowd, who clearly remembered the memorable goal he scored for Juventus against Madrid in the 2015 Champions League semifinals, a goal that sent Juventus through to the final at the expense of Los Blancos.
Despite some pressure from Madrid in the second half, Milan held firm. The game was sealed when Tijjani Reijnders added a third goal for Milan in the final minutes, a strike that further frustrated the Madrid faithful, who could only watch as their team faltered in front of their own supporters.
This victory was particularly significant for Milan, marking their first win against Madrid in 15 years. The Italian side not only secured a historic result but also handed Madrid their first back-to-back defeats in the Champions League since October 2021.
“We won because the players had the courage to come here and not be afraid of anything, playing the game we wanted,” said Milan’s head coach, Paulo Fonseca, in the post-match press conference. "We prepared for a match in which we wanted to keep the ball; in the first half, we did important things, and in the second half, we suffered more, but we deserved to win, no doubt about it."
Milan's impressive performance in Madrid puts them in a strong position in the Champions League, with six points from four games in the new 36-team league phase, putting them in line for a spot in the playoffs for the quarterfinals. That success was a much-needed boost for Milan, especially considering their tough start to the Serie A season, where they currently sit seventh.
With the next Serie A fixture coming up against Cagliari on Saturday, Pulisic emphasized the need to stay focused and keep the momentum going. "Our coach just said, ‘Enjoy tonight, but we’ve got to rest up tomorrow because we've got a big game coming this weekend. If we don't win that one, then this doesn’t mean anything,’" Pulisic explained. "So we're going to try to enjoy as a team tonight, have a little celebration, but tomorrow it's right back to work."
The win over Real Madrid serves as a testament to the resilience and ambition of AC Milan, and Pulisic’s contribution in the match highlighted his growing importance to the team. From providing assists to scoring key passes, he’s quickly becoming one of the standout players for Milan. Now, with the squad focused on the bigger picture, it will be exciting to see how they continue to perform in both European and domestic competitions as the season unfolds.
Indeed, it was a “special night” for AC Milan and Christian Pulisic, but the road ahead promises even more thrilling challenges. The energy from this stunning victory will surely propel them into their next matches, and it’s clear that Pulisic and his teammates are determined to keep writing this incredible story.
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