Milan finally secured their first points in this season’s Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge at home on Tuesday, thanks to Christian Pulisic’s remarkable goal directly from a corner kick.
As seven-time European champions, Milan had a shaky start to their Champions League campaign, standing among eight teams that had yet to earn a win after losing to Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool in their previous two matches.
Pulisic opened the scoring in the 34th minute, and Brugge’s situation worsened just six minutes later when midfielder Raphael Onyedika received a red card following a VAR review for a foul on Tijjani Reijnders. After halftime, Brugge equalized with a well-placed shot by Kyriani Sabbe, but Milan regained control with Reijnders scoring twice, first in the 61st minute and then again ten minutes later, ensuring the win for the hosts.
Initially, the game was challenging for Milan as Brugge applied early pressure, forcing goalkeeper Mike Maignan to make crucial saves against multiple attempts on goal. Despite a slow start, Milan began to find their rhythm, with Mignolet denying Pulisic’s first attempt, only to be left helpless when Pulisic curled a corner kick directly into the net, making him Milan’s top scorer this season with five Serie A goals and two Champions League goals.
Following the equalizer from Sabbe, Milan capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Reijnders finishing a neatly set-up chance.
In a dramatic twist, 16-year-old striker Francesco Camarda thought he made history as the youngest scorer in Champions League history after heading in a cross from Reijnders, prompting a joyous celebration. However, his goal was later ruled out for offside, and he received a yellow card for taking off his shirt in celebration. Despite the disappointment, he expressed his feelings afterward, saying, “It was emotional; I think the best feeling of my life, but then VAR played a trick on me. I’m really disappointed, but these things happen, especially in modern soccer.”
Camarda, who has drawn attention as one of Italy’s brightest young talents, previously set the record for the youngest player in Serie A history last season.
