If David Beckham does eventually make the move from Los Angeles to Milan -- whether it's this spring or next fall -- the turning point might have come in Bologna on Sunday.

Making his third consecutive start for AC Milan and playing the full 90 minutes, Beckham had his best outing yet for the seven-time European champion and also scored his first goal.

It wasn't a tame goal, either. No tap-in this, or lucky rebound. It was a cracker.

Brazilian teenager Pato began the move with a surging run down the center of the field, scattering Bologna players in his path, before passing the ball to Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf on his right.

Seedorf, who had scored the tying goal in what would eventually turn out to be a 4-1 rout for AC Milan, might have taken a shot but instead slipped the ball to an unmarked Beckham on his right.

The Galaxy midfielder raced into the penalty area and unleashed a rising right-foot shot that tore past Bologna goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli and just inside the right post.

It was one of Beckham's best goals in a long time and he reacted to it with a delighted grin before being mobbed by AC Milan teammates.