Christian Pulisic Accused of Stealing Rafael Leao Goal in AC Milan's 4-2 Win Over Slavia Prague

AC Milan beat Slavia Prague 4-2 in the Europa League on Thursday. Christian Pulisic scored Milan's fourth goal but was accused of stealing it from Rafael Leao.

AC Milan beat Slavia Prague in a six-goal thriller in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie in Italy on Thursday.

The away side had to play for well over an hour with 10 men after El Hadji Malick Diouf was shown a straight red card for a dangerous foul on Christian Pulisic.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Prague competed well and found the net twice courtesy of David Doudera and Ivan Schranz.

But Milan eventually won 4-2.

Three of Milan's four goals were scored by former Chelsea players in Olivier Giroud, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic. Tijjani Reijnders was Milan's other scorer.

Pulisic's goal arrived in the 85th minute following fine work by teammate Rafael Leao.

Leao had looked set to score himself after dribbling past Tomas Vlcek and chipping a shot over keeper Jindrich Stanek.

But a flying Pulisic got the final touch from close range to register his ninth goal since moving to Milan.

Christian Pulisic applies the finishing touch after a lovely individual effort from Rafa Leão 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zkstl1pVPy

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 7, 2024

Rafael Leao pictured (left) watching on as Christian Pulisic (right) volleys the ball into the net to score for AC Milan during a 4-2 win over Slavia Prague on Thursday :: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Mickael Chavet

Ex-USMNT forward Charlie Davies later claimed in his post-game analysis for CBS Sports that Leao "didn't look too happy" after Pulisic "stole" the goal from him.

Davies also suggested that "there is a little tension" between teammates Leao and Pulisic.

He added: "We've seen that in previous matches Leao doesn't look to pass to Christian Pulisic in a lot of opportunities, he takes it on his own. Even if Christian's open he'd rather take a shot for himself."

Should Rafael Leão be ANGRY at Christian Pulisic for his goal? 👀

The #UEL studio crew are divided 😅 pic.twitter.com/tTwNX9XlmP

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 7, 2024

Former West Ham United captain Nigel Reo-Coker was also on the CBS panel and he said: "I'm telling you now, from playing the game, if you're a striker about to score a goal and you know the ball's going in and someone does that to you...

"That there is a goal poach and it's going to cause tension." 

The second leg will take place in the Czech Republic on March 14.

Highlights: AC Milan 4-2 Slavia Prague