USMNT Hopeful Matches Ronaldo’s Champions League Record
Manchester City legend Sergio Agüero once shared an impressive record, but now a new name joins the elite group of clutch Champions League performers. The tournament’s top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, leads the list of decisive goal scorers, and Ricardo Pepi has now entered that conversation.
The USMNT hopeful scored his third crucial stoppage-time goal in Europe’s premier club competition on Tuesday evening, securing a 1–1 draw for PSV Eindhoven against Olympiacos in the 93rd minute. Known for his flair for late drama, Pepi has developed a reputation for rescuing results in key moments.
Pepi’s first Champions League goal came in November 2023 when he struck a 92nd-minute winner against Sevilla, just ten minutes after entering the field. PSV had been trailing by two goals before mounting a dramatic comeback. A similar storyline unfolded in last season’s clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, where Malik Tillman scored twice in the final minutes and Pepi sealed the win in the 95th.
“In the 33-year history of the Champions League in its modern format, no player can better Pepi’s tally of three goals in second-half stoppage time which positively changed the result,” — Opta
Elite Company Among Finishers
- Cristiano Ronaldo leads the list of decisive Champions League scorers.
- Sergio Agüero previously held a similar record for clutch goals.
- Ricardo Pepi joins them with three late, game-changing goals.
Author’s Summary: Ricardo Pepi’s remarkable ability to deliver in stoppage time places him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Agüero as one of the most decisive scorers in Champions League history.