Ricardo Pepi scored his first ever Champions League goal on Wednesday and it couldn’t have come at a better time as he headed in the game-winning goal during PSV’s group stage game vs. Sevilla.
A rough start for PSV saw the Dutch club down 2-0 on the road in Seville and needing a miracle. That wish was granted with Lucas Ocampos getting sent off for Sevilla in the 66th minute which completely shifted the momentum.
PSV clawed back to make it 2-2 but were searching for a winner.
Pepi came off the bench for PSV in the 82nd minute and produced this moment of magic 10 minutes later.
Ricardo Pepi goal vs Sevilla
RICARDO PEPI WITH THE STOPPAGE TIME WINNER FOR PSV. pic.twitter.com/3qyoAy6TbH
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 29, 2023
Ricardo Pepi scored in the 92nd minute to give PSV their first away win in the UCL since 2007 pic.twitter.com/glyHGqRvnl
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 29, 2023
El Tren has arrived!
The 2023-24 season hasn’t been easy for Pepi as he’s played second fiddle in the PSV attack. Pepi hasn’t started a single game for the club with Luuk de Jong being the preferred striker.
Despite the lack of playing time, Pepi has made his minutes count with Wednesday’s goal being the 20-year-old's fifth of the season. He’s averaging a goal roughly every 48 minutes.
Pepi wasn’t the only American to have an impact on the game. Fellow USMNT player Sergiño Dest provided an assist in the 68th minute that Ismael Saibari finished beautifully.
Sergiño Dest finds Ismael Saibari to give PSV a lifeline! pic.twitter.com/XUZVLGYHaz
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 29, 2023
1 - Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi are the first pair of #USMNT players to each record a goal contribution in a single UEFA Champions League match. Key. pic.twitter.com/yozXKv2Nij
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) November 29, 2023
PSV’s other goal in their comeback win was an own goal from Sevilla.
PSV FIGHT ALL THE WAY BACK!
It's not one that Gudelj will want to watch back in the morning. pic.twitter.com/6PtULdFcdS— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 29, 2023
The third USMNT player on PSV, Malik Tillman, also featured in the game coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute.
PSV's American trio put on a show in the #UCL. pic.twitter.com/GDKymrcEly
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 29, 2023
The victory, paired with an Arsenal win vs. Lens, will see the Dutch side advance to the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
