Young Americans Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman both played a big part in PSV’s thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Trailing 2-0 deep into the second half, Tillman found the net in both the 87th and 90th minutes before Pepi bungled home five minutes into injury time, sealing the remarkable turnaround. Both are also key members of Mauricio Pochettino‘s emerging USMNT side set to host the World Cup in 2026.

Shakhtar jumped to an early lead courtesy of first-half goals from Danylo Sikan and Oleksandr Zubkov, looking poised to exit Eindhoven with all three points.

Pepi was subbed on after the break and PSV began to control the game, an effort bolstered by the cynical red card awarded to Shakhtar left-back Pedrinho in the 69th minute.

Tillman lined up a free-kick between the box and the corner flag in the 87th minute. He likely looked to slide the ball to PSV defender Ryan Flamingo at the near boast, but the ball snuck in under Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.

The 22-year-old’s second goal just three minutes later was something special. Fellow American Richie Ledezma whipped a ball into the box that was headed out. When it eventually ended up at Tillman’s feet, he uncorked a missle into the top corner to bring the match level.

Five minutes into injury time, Pepi found himself unmarked at the back post with the goal gaping after the ball popped up off a Shakhtar defender into his feet. He cooly slotted hope and celebrated in front of the ebullient PSV faithful.

Ricardo Pepi #9, Yunus Musah #6, and Malik Tillman #17 of the United States walks the field prior to playing Jamaica on November 14, 2024

Pepi, Yunus Musah, and Tillman pose ahead of the USMNT’s November 14 contest against Jamaica ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

The three points were vital for the Dutch outfit – PSV are now up to 18th in the Champions League table with three contests left to play.

The league table in the Netherlands is a different story. The reigning Eredivisie champions have taken 36 points of an available 39 through the side’s first 13 league games and sit five points ahead of second-place Utrecht.

Pepi is already up to 10 goals in all competitions for the Dutch side – including a co-league best nine in the Eredivisie – despite often featuring as a substitute for veteran striker Luuk de Jong.

The 21-year-old joined PSV for €11.00 million ($11.6 million) last summer after a successful loan spell with Groningen the season prior. He originally moved from FC Dallas to Augsburg in 2022 for €16.36 million. He’s scored 13 goals in 33 caps for the USMNT.

Tillman isn’t far behind Pepi. He tallied 20 goal contributions last season and Wednesday’s brace takes him to 11 in all competitions this year.

The former Bayern Munich academy product joined the Dutch side this summer for €12.00 million ($12.7 million) after spending last season on loan at PSV. He has 17 total caps for the USMNT and is still searching for his first international goal.