Another Champions League matchday meant another chance for American players to shine on the world stage. And that's exactly what Christian Pulisic did in Chelsea's 4-0 win over Krasnodar, drawing a penalty kick and netting a goal of his own late in the game.
Here’s what else happened on Wednesday.
Barcelona at Juventus (4 pm ET)
The anticipated meeting of global titans failed to materialize with Cristiano Ronaldo still out after testing positive for COVID-19, though there was still something for USMNT fans to savor with Weston McKennie back in the Juventus squad following his positive test.
While USMNT teammate Sergino Dest didn't end up making it off the bench, McKennie came on for his seventh Champions League appearance, putting him in the list of top 10 most appearances by Americans. Juventus went down a man due to a red card in the 85th minute and lost the game 2-0 to Barcelona.
As for Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi? Fret not, the winners of 11 of the past 12 Ballon d’Or awards can still square off in the second group stage meeting at Camp Nou on Dec. 12. They haven't met on the field since CR7’s move from Real Madrid in 2018.
Chelsea at Krasnodar (1:55 pm ET)
After a 90-minute performance in a 0-0 draw against Sevilla FC at Stamford Bridge, a fully fit Christian Pulisic was part of Frank Lampard’s 22-man squad for Chelsea’s clash at Krasnodar.
Although he didn't make the starting lineup, he made a sizable impact off the bench after coming on as a 71st-minute substitute. Shortly after his introduction, his shot struck a Krasnodar defender in the arm inside the penalty area, leading to a penalty kick that Timo Werner converted to put Chelsea 2-0 up.
In stoppage time, Pulisic added a goal of his own as Chelsea cruised to a 4-0 win over Krasnodar.
Zenit at Borussia Dortmund (4 pm ET)
Gio Reyna was hoping to follow up a promising performance in Borussia Dortmund’s group stage opener, which featured an assist on Erling Haaland’s 71st-minute goal in the 3-1 loss at Lazio, when Zenit visited Signal Iduna Park Wednesday.
And the former NYCFC academy standout earned his first UCL start on Wednesday, putting in 84 minutes in a 2-0 win over Zenit.
Lazio at Brugge (4 pm ET)
Ethan Horvath broke down in tears in his long-awaited return to the field in Club Brugge’s win over Zenit last week, filling in for regular starter Simon Mignolet, who tested positive for COVID-19.
It was the 25-year-old's first start since Sept. 2019 and Horvath’s second came on the weekend in a 2-1 win over OH Leuven in the Jupiler Pro League.
However, Mignolet returned Wednesday, sending Horvath back to the bench as Brugge and Lazio played to a 1-1 draw.
RB Leipzig at Manchester United (4 pm ET)
After suffering a lateral ligament injury in training and missing the Bundesliga leaders league match over the weekend, Tyler Adams was available and on the bench for RB Leipzig’s clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The former New York Red Bulls standout did not feature in RB Leipzig's 5-0 loss.
