USMNT's Dest scores 1st UCL goal in 6 years to earn draw for PSV

Sergiño Dest scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in six years to give PSV Eindhoven a share of the points from its opening game of the competition against Ukrainian visitors Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday.

The United States defender timed his run well to meet a low pass from the left from Armando Obispo and score from just inside the penalty area early into the second half. He had earlier been involved in Shakhtar's goal on the stroke of halftime.

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Venezuela midfielder Gleiker Mendoza curled the ball into the bottom right corner to grab his first goal for his new club and celebrated with the team bench. But PSV's players were angry that the goal was given, claiming Dest had been fouled.

A thudding challenge near the halfway line left the 25-year-old briefly writhing on the ground and clutching his leg. Shakhtar then launched a counterattack leading to the goal, which was awarded following a quick video review.

"I thought it was a 50-50 situation," Dest said of the incident. "We both went for the ball with a tackle. I pulled my leg back at the last moment because it could have been a dangerous situation.

"He did extend his leg. He hit the ball, but also my shin. You could call a foul, or you could let it go. It was unpleasant, and it was a shame."

PSV's fans were not happy with the final result Thursday and there were some whistles at the end. But Dest said he saw an improved PSV side in the second half.

"Things could have been better in the first half -- as a team, too," he said. "It was a bit static. We couldn't break through easily, they pinned us down well. In the second half, we were tighter on them and could have scored more goals."

Dest's goal was his second ever in Europe's top competition and first since he scored for Barcelona against another Ukrainian side, Dynamo Kyiv, in November 2020.

Dest now has three goals and two assists in just five games in all competitions so far this season for PSV.

The fullback played in all five of the U.S. men's national team's games as it reached the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup before being eliminated by Belgium.

He is likely to be involved when Mauricio Pochettino names his first U.S. roster since the World Cup for friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada in late September and early October.

PSV's next Champions League action will see it visit RB Leipzig on Oct. 13.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.