France’s all-time leading goalscorer and 2018 World Cup winner Olivier Giroud has compared Christian Pulisic to former Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard, following the USMNT captain’s standout performance in the United States’ historic 4-1 opening victory over Paraguay on June 12.
Giroud, now working as a pundit and commentator covering the 2026 World Cup, made the comparison on BBC Sport, drawing on his shared experience of playing alongside both men during his time at Chelsea in the English Premier League. “Christian reminded me of Eden Hazard, with the way he took on opponents and found it easy to dribble past people,” Giroud said. “I played as a target man, and I needed some pace and movement around me, someone like him playing in the pocket between the lines and getting on the ball, looking for me and feeding off my flick-ons.”
Giroud went further in his assessment of Pulisic’s World Cup credentials, expressing confidence in the winger’s ability to carry the United States deep into the tournament. “I was not surprised at how well he played because I think that he has got what it takes to take the U.S. team to the next level over the next few weeks,” Giroud told BBC Sport. “I have always thought the U.S. are lucky to have him, because he has skill and intelligence. No one is expecting the U.S. to win this World Cup, but if they are going to reach the knockout stage, he will be key.”
Pulisic was the standout performer in the United States’ record-breaking 4-1 win over Paraguay — the most goals the USMNT has ever scored in a single World Cup match — played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12. He created two chances, completed four dribbles and laid on an assist as the United States built a commanding lead in the first half. His assist for Folarin Balogun’s first goal came after a driving run in which he beat four Paraguay defenders before squaring the ball across goal.
Pulisic was substituted at halftime as a precautionary measure after receiving a knock to the back of his leg in the first half, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirming the decision was made to protect the captain ahead of the group stage schedule. “I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing. Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days,” Pulisic told reporters.
Without Pulisic in the second half, the USMNT struggled to regain the same rhythm, conceding a consolation goal to Paraguay in the 73rd minute before Gio Reyna’s late trivela secured the 4-1 scoreline.
The Paraguay performance brought Pulisic to four World Cup goal contributions in total — one goal and three assists — across two World Cup appearances. His three World Cup assists surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s total of two assists across six World Cup tournaments, though Ronaldo holds eight World Cup goals to Pulisic’s one. The 27-year-old now trails only the legendary Landon Donovan’s five total goal contributions for the USMNT since 1966.
From a teenage prodigy at Borussia Dortmund to a Champions League winner at Chelsea and now a talisman at AC Milan, Pulisic has spent a decade proving Americans can thrive at the very top of the European game. He logged 10 goals and four assists across 34 appearances for AC Milan in 2025-26, a relatively modest season by his standards, but his World Cup performances suggest he has saved his best for the tournament’s biggest stage.
While Giroud’s Hazard comparison is a significant compliment from a player who won the World Cup alongside the Belgian, it also carries an implicit warning. Hazard’s Belgium side — widely regarded as one of the most talented international teams of their generation — never won a major tournament, with their best finish being third place at the 2018 World Cup. The USMNT will be aware that individual brilliance, without collective performance, rarely translates to silverware.
Pulisic and the United States return to Group D action on Friday in Seattle against Australia, who defeated Türkiye 2-0 in their opening match. A win would put the USMNT in control of Group D with one game to play.
Christian Pulisic, 27, plays for AC Milan in Serie A and captains the United States men’s national team. He has scored 33 international goals in his USMNT career.
