Christian Pulisic sent a resounding message to U.S. Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino on Sunday: the rest was worth it, and "Captain America" is back.

After missing the recent international window to recover from injury, a decision made mutually with Pochettino-Pulisic returned to the pitch in the biggest game of the season and delivered the decisive moment. In a gritty, high-stakes Derby della Madonnina, Pulisic's 55th-minute strike secured a massive 1-0 victory for AC Milan over arch-rivals Inter Milan.

The goal was a statement of intent from the winger, who had been sidelined to ensure he could return to this exact level of sharpness. Reacting quickest to a rebound from Alexis Saelemaekers' blocked shot, Pulisic smashed the ball home from close range, breaking the deadlock in a match where chances were scarce.

Maignan was the perfect complement to Pulisic

It was the only goal Milan needed, vaulting the Rossoneri to second place in the Serie A table, just two points behind Roma. While Pulisic provided the spark, goalkeeper Mike Maignan provided the shield.

The French shot-stopper was equally instrumental, making six saves to keep Inter at bay. His biggest moment came in the 71st minute when he denied Hakan Çalhanolu from the penalty spot after Strahinja Pavlovi fouled Marcus Thuram in the box. Maignan's confident save preserved the lead and ensured Pulisic's goal stood as the winner.

The match itself was a cagey, high-intensity battle. Inter dominated the early stages with 58% possession and rattled the post through Lautaro Martínez, but their finishing let them down.

Is Pochettino taking notes on Pulisic's performance?

Milan remained compact, absorbing the pressure before striking on the counter-attack led by Pulisic, who also contributed two successful dribbles and three key passes into the final third before exiting in the 78th minute.

For Inter, the loss is a bitter pill. They have now failed to beat their crosstown rivals in six attempts and have slipped to fourth in the standings. For Milan and Pulisic, however, the night was perfect-and somewhere, Mauricio Pochettino was surely taking notes.