Braces against Napoli, USMNT hat-tricks, brilliance at Bernabeu and the 10 best games of Christian Pulisic's career - ranked

What a needed goal. Sure, Real Madrid weren't playing at the Santiago Bernabeu when they hosted Chelsea in April 2021, but they still made a fearsome Champions League semifinal opponent. Ultimately, the damage was done in the second leg at Samford Bridge a week later. But Pulisic set the table for everything, rounding Thibaut Courtois and slotting home to earn a 1-1 draw which proved to be enough to get the job done. 

Even back in August 2017, Pulisic's talent was no secret. It was just a question of putting it all together. He got off to a fine start in that effort, finding the net and turning in a wonderful all-round performance to pace Dortmund to a 3-0 win. 

No, not that Trinidad game. Before it all went wrong, Pulisic was carrying the USMNT through qualifying. And this game gave them hope, as Bruce Arena's side leaned on their star to secure a 2-0 win. Pulisic scored both, and, momentarily, everything seemed alright. 

Sure, Pulisic had gotten a result against Madrid on the road before. But doing at the Bernabeu proper? That's a different challenge altogether. Pulisic didn't score here, but he set up one and was vital in another as Milan exposed Los Blancos at home. The final score was 3-1, but it really could have been five. 

Context is everything. Sure, the USMNT had to beat Panama in 2022. But they also should have beat Trinidad & Tobago in 2017. Pulisic carried them, in the end, burying his first career hat-trick for the national team in a rout that all-but sealed qualification, and exorcised some demons of 2017's failure. 

The U.S. performed admirably at the 2022 World Cup, on reflection. They got a point against England, beat Wales, and were simply undone by a better Netherlands side in the last 16. Pulisic played a major role, scoring the only goal as the USMNT downed Iran. It might have seen him pick up an injury, but it was an immense moment. 

Perfect hat-tricks are fun. They're also very rare. Indeed, scoring with your left foot, right foot and head over the course of 90 minutes is basically a statistical anomaly. Well, Pulisic provided one against Burnley in 2019. It was a crucial showing in the scope of his Chelsea career. The American had incurred plenty of criticism to that point, and the magical showing alleviated some of the mounting pressure. 

Milan were a crisis club ahead of their derby clash with Inter in September 2024. They had won just one of their first five fixtures, despite making heavy investment the previous summer. A spark was needed. Pulisic provided it, scoring the first in a 2-1 win over Inter to provide a memorable moment in a season otherwise sorely lacking in them. 

Penalty. 116th minute. To beat Mexico. Anything else really need saying? An iconic moment. 

Is Allegri a tactical genius? Has he been all along? Unclear, but he seems to be getting the best out of the American. Pulisic's performance against Napoli was certainly the best individual showing of his in recent memory, and a pretty compelling argument for him being the best player in Serie A at the moment. He scored one and assisted another to lead Milan to what may yet be a pivotal victory in the scope of the season.