Football
ESPN staff 8y

Christian Pulisic describes Andre Schurrle leveller as 'amazing moment'

Christian Pulisic described the part he played on Andre Schurrle's equaliser in Borussia Dortmund's 2-2 Champions League draw with Real Madrid on Tuesday as an amazing moment in his young career.

Pulisic, 18, came on in the 73rd minute for Ousmane Dembele with his team trailing 2-1 at the Westfalenstadion.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane had Real leading the hosts, whose lone tally came from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang just before the break.

Cutting in from the right side, Pulisic found space and dribbled just into the Real penalty area before chipping a cross towards Schurrle and Aubameyang. The Gabon international missed on an overhead attempt, but the ball fell right to Schurrle's feet and he powered his shot past Keylor Navas to even things at 2-2.

Speaking after the game, Pulisic said: "It was an amazing game to come into, especially because the level was so high. It was an intense game, so I was just excited to get in there and show what I could do and try to help the team.

"Yeah [the goal] was amazing, I mean what a goal to score in that moment in that in front of the home fans. It was amazing for both of us, for everyone."

Dortmund twice rallied from behind to get back to level terms with the holders, who were last-gasp winners in their Group F opener against Sporting Lisbon. The point put Thomas Tuchel's team in first place in the group on goal difference after beating Legia Warsaw 6-0 in their first match of the competition.

Pulisic was modest when asked if the chance to play in the Champions League would help his progression with Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. national team, who have a pair of upcoming friendlies in October before opening the Hexagonal stage of World Cup qualifying against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio.

"That's the goal when you want to play professional soccer, you want to get to the highest level and that's how you improve," Pulisic said. "As a young player you just want to keep improving and be the best player you can be."

The appearance against Real was Pulisic's second Champions League run-out, tying the career numbers of countrymen Landon Donovan and Freddy Adu.

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