USMNT duo Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman were center-stage as PSV cruised to their 10th-straight victory in the Eredivisie.
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PSV defeat PEC Zwolle 6-0Ricardo Pepi records brace, Malik Tillman scores headerDutch side cruised to 10th-straight win in EredivisieFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Earning a rare start, U.S. international Ricardo Pepi shined as PSV thumped PEC Zwolle 6-0 in regular season action. Opening the scoring in the ninth minute, he added his second in the 59th, while fellow USMNT regular Malik Tillman bagged a goal, too, scoring the Dutch side's third of the day in the victory.
Pepi's first, a stupendous side-volley, set the tone for the match, while the floodgates opened over the final 45 minutes. His second was a lovely low-driven effort, while Tillman's goal was a lovely placed header.
Additional goals came from wingers Noa Lang and Johan Bakayoko, with the latter coming in the 89th minute to seal all three points.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
It appeared as though Pepi had completed his hat-trick in the 71st minute when PSV scored their fifth, but his header deflected off goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar for a Zwolle own-goal. Another chance arrived in the 83rd minute when PSV were awarded a penalty kick, but veteran Luuk De Jong was the preferred kick taker – however, the 34-year-old missed his attempt from the spot.
It was just Pepi's second start of the season, but notably, his second 90-minute appearance this season where he scored a brace. With five total goals on the campaign, he's found success when given an entire match, with just one goal off the bench in six other substitute cameos.
Tillman, meanwhile, scored his fifth goal of the season as well from his attacking midfield role.
DID YOU KNOW?
With five goals through Oct. this season, Pepi is on-track for a career-best scoring campaign. In 2021, he scored 13 with MLS side FC Dallas, and hit that number again in 2022-23 with FC Groningen. However, he's now on pace to surpass both of those tallies, if he stays on course during 2024-25.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR PEPI, TILLMAN AND PSV?
The U.S. duo and PSV are back in action on Saturday, Nov. 2 when they travel to take on rivals Ajax in regular season play. A clash between first and third in the league, Tillman and Pepi will look to help their teammates continue their unbeaten start to the season.
