Christian Pulisic explains wild goal celebration for USMNT in Copa America win – with captain running to the bench after netting history-making 30th effort for his country

The AC Milan forward was once again handed the captain’s armband for the contest, and made a point of leading from the front as he opened the scoring inside three minutes. Said effort was curled into the top corner following a cleverly-worked corner and saw him become the fastest man to reach 30 goals for his country.

Pulisic raced towards the bench and set-piece coach Gianni Vio before being joined by jubilant teammates. Quizzed afterwards on why his celebration was even more enthusiastic than usual, the 25-year-old forward said: “It's Copa America, it's a big tournament, I think. I mean, I feel like I'm always pretty excited after I score, but this is a big moment. It's a major tournament, so I don't take this for granted.”

Pulisic added on getting the United States off to a dream start on home soil, with Panama next up for them on Thursday: “It's Copa America. Every team is going to be flying, ready to fight and we don't expect an easy game at all. So we need to put on an even better performance today if we want to come out with a strong result.”

The USMNT have been told to expect even more from Pulisic in the weeks, months and years to come, with international team-mate and captaincy rival Tyler Adams saying of the potential that continues to be unlocked in his compatriot’s game: “I think he's found confidence, and everybody needs that reinvigoration at some point in their career, and continue to evolve. And by no means is he the finished product. He continues to grow every day.”

Gregg Berhalter’s side will wrap up their group stage campaign at the Copa America when facing Uruguay on July 1. They are hoping to have enough points on the board by then that a place in the quarter-finals of another major competition has already been secured.