Christian Pulisic becomes USA’s joint leading-scorer in Champions League history

It didn’t take very long for Christian Pulisic to make an impact for Chelsea in its 4-0 UEFA Champions League victory against Krasnodar on Wednesday.

Not only did Pulisic help create the insurance goal, the U.S. Men’s National Team attacker also put the exclamation point on the Blues’ Group E triumph by striking the final goal – his fourth all-time in the competition – tying him with DaMarcus Beasley for the joint lead among U.S. players in the competition.

Pulisic was already the USA’s leader in Champions League appearances (28) and assists (four).

FT in Russia!

Fourth career @ChampionsLeague goal for @cpulisic_10 caps a strong substitute performance and 4-0 win for @ChelseaFC against @FCKrasnodar_en.

(@UCLonCBSSports) pic.twitter.com/l6lvCzMxB2

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) October 28, 2020

After replacing Callum Hudson-Odoi in the 71st minute, Pulisic certainly gave the Chelsea attack some needed zip and fresh legs as it pulled away from the Russia side at Krasnodar Stadium.

Only five minutes after coming on as a substitute, Pulisic fired a shot that hit the arm of Krasnodar captain Aleksandr Martynovich and resulted in a penalty kick in the 75th minute. Timo Werner took the ensuing penalty, drilling a shot past the keeper’s right to give the Blues some breathing room.

In the 79^th, Pulisic ran onto a ball on the left, cut inside and played a pass to Werner. The German then centered the ball for Hakim Ziyech who slotted it home to make it 3-0.

Make that 3-0 ?

Hakim Ziyech opens up his scoring account for @ChelseaFCinUSA. pic.twitter.com/lwSevhjfxr

— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) October 28, 2020

The 22-year-old Pulisic wasn’t finished, connecting for his first goal of the season and fourth-career UCL strike off a counterattack in the 90th minute, placing an eight-yard shot on the right side of the area between the legs of goalkeeper Matvei Safonov to cap the 4-0 shutout.

The Blues controlled the match from the opening kickoff and now sit on four points after two matches in Champions League Group E.

Chelsea visits Burnley in English Premier League action on Saturday, Oct. 31 and hosts Rennes (France) in a UCL match on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Pulisic should be looking forward to the Burnley encounter as he recorded a natural hat-trick there in a 4-2 win on Oct. 26, 2019.