World Cup: Chelsea Star Pulisic Scores Hat-Trick To Take USMNT Closer To Qatar [Watch]

Chelsea midfielder Christian Pulisic scored a hat-trick for U.S. National Men’s Team (USNMT) in their 5-1 win over Panama in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Sunday.

It was Pulisic's maiden hat-trick for USMNT, which helped his country move closer to booking a spot in the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Pulisic’s contribution means USNMT have now won all nine of their last nine competitive home matches in which Pulisic has scored, according to Chelsea’s official website.

Meanwhile, Pulisic was only the second American player to record a hat-trick against Panama after Eddie Johnson in a World Cup Qualifier in 2004, according to Opta Jack.

On Sunday, the Chelsea star opened the scoring for the Americans. He scored from the spot before doing that again to put USMNT 4-0 up. Paul Arriola and Jesus Ferreira scored U.S.’ second and third goals respectively. The home side went into the half-time break with a 4-0 advantage.

Pulisic’s first goal

Pulisic’s second goal

For this hat-trick goal, Pulisic showed fine dribbling skills as he nutmegged a defender to net a vital goal for the U.S.

The treble performance was a tad more special for the Chelsea midfielder as he was wearing the captain’s armband for USMNT on Sunday. The American side has had a leadership committee rotate captain responsibilities throughout World Cup qualifying.

After the match, USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter said they intentionally gave Pulisic the honor to lead the side against Panama on Sunday because the winger has come a long way since he was a part of the team that missed out on the World Cup four years ago, according to Goal.com.

USMNT now have 25 points in CONCACAF’s qualifying table, level with Mexico. This means only a six-goal defeat on Wednesday against Costa Rica would deny them an automatic qualification to this winter’s World Cup.