4-1 was the scoreline that turned Christian Pulisic’s World Cup pressure into proof. After the United States opened with a convincing win over Paraguay, Olivier Giroud used his BBC Sport role to explain why his former Chelsea and AC Milan team-mate looks ready for the heaviest summer of his career. For British readers who remember both players from the Premier League, the most striking line was not just praise — it was Giroud comparing Pulisic’s movement and dribbling to Eden Hazard.
The Bottom Line
- Olivier Giroud said Christian Pulisic is ready to carry major responsibility for the United States at the World Cup.
- Giroud compared Pulisic’s ability to take on defenders with former Chelsea star Eden Hazard.
- Pulisic helped the USA start their tournament with a 4-1 win over Paraguay.
- Sports Illustrated reported Pulisic has four World Cup goal contributions, one behind Landon Donovan’s USMNT mark since 1966.
- The USA return to Group D action against Australia in Seattle, after Australia beat Türkiye 2-0.
Breaking It Down
Giroud’s view carries weight because he has seen Pulisic from two useful angles: as a striker who relied on him at Chelsea, and as a Milan team-mate who watched him grow in Serie A. Speaking to BBC Sport, Giroud described Pulisic as someone who needed the right environment to play freely, saying that at Chelsea he sometimes felt the American had too many things in his head.
The Frenchman’s comparison with Hazard landed because it came from a player who shared a dressing room with both. Giroud said Pulisic reminded him of Hazard in the way he took on opponents and found it easy to dribble past people. He also explained the chemistry between them: Giroud played as a target man, while Pulisic operated between the lines, feeding off flick-ons and looking for spaces around him.
That background matters because Pulisic arrived at this World Cup carrying scrutiny from several directions. NBC News reported that he missed the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer to focus on his mental and physical health, a decision that brought criticism from fans and former players. His AC Milan form was also under the microscope after he missed seven games this year because of minor injuries and did not score in 2026 before the tournament build-up.
The response has been sharp. NBC News noted that Pulisic scored and assisted in a 3-2 friendly win over Senegal on 31 May, while Sports Illustrated reported that against Paraguay he helped force the opening own goal and then assisted one of Folarin Balogun’s finishes. That is why Giroud’s comments feel less like distant punditry and more like a former team-mate recognising a player whose timing may be coming right.
Why This Matters
The United States have long had promising players, but this tournament has placed a different kind of spotlight on Pulisic. ThePrint described him as “Captain America” and said his shirt sales are competing with names such as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé during this World Cup. That detail is not just merchandising trivia; it shows how far his profile has moved beyond regular football followers.
For GB audiences, there is a familiar thread here. Pulisic’s Premier League years at Chelsea showed flashes of elite ability, but also the difficulty of establishing rhythm in a high-pressure squad. Giroud’s point is that confidence, trust and team structure can change how that talent appears. In Italy, he said, Pulisic seemed to elevate his game, helped by age, experience and a setting that allowed him to play with more freedom.
The pressure is not abstract. NBC News reported that the furthest the US men’s national team has gone over the last three decades was the quarter-finals in 2002, followed by a series of exits in the round of 16, a group-stage failure and a missed qualification in 2018. Giroud’s view is measured: he does not cast the USA as favourites, but he says if they are to reach the knockout stage, Pulisic will be key.
What Comes Next
The next confirmed test is Group D action against Australia in Seattle. Sports Illustrated reported that Australia opened by beating Türkiye 2-0, which gives the match extra weight because the USA can take control of the group with another strong result.
For Pulisic, the equation is simple but demanding: keep turning expectation into output. Giroud believes he has the skill, intelligence and maturity to do it, but the former France striker also made clear that Pulisic needs team-mates around him because he cannot carry the USA alone.
FAQ
What did Olivier Giroud say about Christian Pulisic?
Giroud said Pulisic reminded him of Eden Hazard because of the way he took on opponents and dribbled past people. He also said Pulisic has the skill and intelligence to help take the USA to the next level.
Why is Giroud’s opinion on Pulisic significant?
Giroud played with Pulisic at Chelsea and AC Milan, so his comments come from direct dressing-room and on-pitch experience rather than distant observation.
How did Pulisic perform against Paraguay?
Sports Illustrated reported that Pulisic helped create the opening own goal and assisted one of Folarin Balogun’s finishes in the USA’s 4-1 win.
How many World Cup goal contributions does Pulisic have?
Sports Illustrated reported that Pulisic has four World Cup goal contributions: one goal and three assists. That puts him one behind Landon Donovan’s USMNT mark since 1966.
Who do the USA play next?
The USA return to Group D action against Australia in Seattle. Australia began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Türkiye.
Why is Pulisic called Captain America?
The nickname reflects his status as the face and captain of the United States men’s national team, with ThePrint describing him as the national idol American soccer has long searched for.