Christian Pulisic made a significant impact from the bench, scoring twice within 10 minutes in the second half to help AC Milan overturn a two-goal deficit and secure a 3-2 victory over Torino in Serie A. His first goal came just 35 seconds after entering the field, and he netted the winner with 13 minutes remaining, propelling Massimiliano Allegri's team back to the top of the table.
Torino had an early opportunity to take the lead when Marcus Pedersen's cross was handled by Milan defender Fikayo Tomori. Nikola Vlasic converted the resulting penalty, placing it beyond Mike Maignan into the bottom-right corner. Shortly after, Vlasic intercepted possession from Christopher Nkunku and set up Duvan Zapata, who scored with a powerful shot past Maignan in the 17th
minute.
Milan responded quickly, reducing the deficit seven minutes later when Adrien Rabiot scored a stunning goal from over 30 yards out. Despite their efforts, Milan struggled to break through until Pulisic replaced Davide Bartesaghi just after the hour mark at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. Within a minute of his introduction, Pulisic equalised following Alexis Saelemaekers' cross that wasn't cleared properly.
Pulisic wasn't finished yet. In the 77th minute, Samuele Ricci's cutback found him again, and he calmly placed the ball past Franco Israel for what proved to be the winning goal. This victory was crucial for Milan as they aimed to reclaim top spot after Napoli briefly overtook them over the weekend.
The win extended Milan's unbeaten run in Serie A to 13 matches (nine wins and four draws). This streak is their longest without defeat in a single season since they went 15 games unbeaten during the first half of the 2020-21 campaign. Pulisic's quick impact was vital in maintaining this impressive form.
Pulisic's immediate contribution was notable as he scored just 35 seconds after coming on. The previous fastest goal by a Milan substitute was scored by Alberto Paloschi in February 2008, who netted within 19 seconds of entering play. Despite his late appearance, Pulisic ended with joint-team-high figures for chances created (two).
Key Contributions
Only Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nkunku had more touches in Torino's box than Pulisic's six during his time on the pitch. His performance highlighted his importance to Milan's attacking play and showcased his ability to change games even when introduced late.
Milan knew how crucial this victory was as they sought to maintain their position at the top of Serie A. Falling two goals behind initially did not deter them; instead, they fought back valiantly to continue their unbeaten run thanks largely to Pulisic’s contributions.
