Estevão lit up Stamford Bridge with a stunning solo goal to settle the much-hyped duel of teenage prodigies, outshining Lamine Yamal as Chelsea swept aside 10-man Barcelona 3–0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
All eyes had been on the two 18-year-olds in the build-up, with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca urging Estevão to ignore the comparisons. Ten minutes after the interval, the Brazilian delivered a moment worthy of the spotlight—collecting the ball on the right, gliding past two defenders, and rifling a shot into the roof of Joan García’s net. It was his 10th goal of the season for club and country in what is his debut campaign at Chelsea.
Already trailing 1–0 and reduced to 10 men, Barcelona never recovered. Liam Delap came off the bench to seal the result in the 73rd minute, steering home from close range. The goal was initially flagged offside but awarded following a VAR review.
The scoreline reflected Chelsea’s dominance. The two-time European champions were sharper from the opening whistle against a subdued Barcelona side. The match began frenetically, with Enzo Fernández bundling the ball into the net in the fourth minute—only for VAR to spot a handball by Wesley Fofana. Moments later, Ferran Torres spurned a golden chance at the other end when clean through on Robert Sánchez.
After a brief lull, Chelsea again raised the tempo. Fernández had another effort chalked off for offside, and Pedro Neto fired over shortly after. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 27th minute from a short-corner routine that left Barcelona scrambling, Jules Koundé inadvertently turning the ball into his own net.
Barcelona’s night then worsened when captain Ronald Araújo received a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Marc Cucurella just before half-time.
Chelsea maintained their intensity after the break, reaping the rewards through Estevão and Delap, while the five-time champions offered little resistance. The home fans revelled in Yamal’s quiet display, jeering when he was withdrawn late on.
Back in the Champions League after a two-year absence, Maresca’s side have now won three of their opening five matches, giving themselves a genuine chance of finishing in the top eight—enough for automatic qualification to the last 16.
Chelsea are also gathering momentum domestically, sitting second in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s home clash with leaders Arsenal.
AFP
