United States midfielder Malik Tillman shone brightly as he scored one goal and assisted another in PSV Eindhoven’s commanding 4-0 victory over Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Tillman provided a key assist to Ryan Flamingo for the Dutch club’s opening goal, showcasing his playmaking ability before finding the net himself in the 33rd minute, skillfully beating Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga at his near post.
This match marked a significant milestone for the 22-year-old Tillman, as it was his first Champions League goal for PSV since his transfer from Bayern Munich in 2023. His contributions were instrumental in helping the team secure the Dutch league title during his inaugural season.
After the halftime break, Tillman nearly assisted a third goal, but Luuk de Jong’s shot unfortunately struck the post.
The match saw Girona’s Arnau Martínez receive a second yellow card for a foul on de Jong, reducing the Spanish side to ten men.
Late in the game, Johan Bakayoko added another goal for PSV, followed by an own goal from Ladislav Krejčí, marking his second of the competition and sealing the Dutch champions’ first win of the league phase after an earlier loss to Juventus and two draws.
Girona’s performance has been challenging, with one win and three losses in their debut in the competition.
In another match, Dinamo Zagreb handed Slovan Bratislava its fourth consecutive defeat in the competition, coming from behind to secure a 4-1 victory in Bratislava.
Later that Tuesday, AC Milan faced Real Madrid, a clash between the most successful teams in Champions League history. Madrid, with a record 15 titles, looked to maintain their dominance against Milan’s seven titles.
Additionally, Xabi Alonso returned to Liverpool with his Bayer Leverkusen team, having previously helped Liverpool clinch the Champions League title in 2005 after an incredible comeback against Milan.
