Champions League — Chelsea beats Barcelona 3-0; Estevao wins the battle between young prodigies and Yamal

Chelsea turned back the years with an imperious UEFA Champions League performance on Tuesday, brushing aside toothless Barcelona 3-0 and taking a big step towards direct qualification for the round of 16.

After an early own goal and a red card for Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo, teenager Estevao scored a fantastic second late in the first half and Liam Delap got the third. The Londoners also had three goals ruled out.

«Since I started playing professional football, I think this is the best moment for me. I’m so happy,» said the 18-year-old Estevao.

«Since I arrived here, I have been treated with so much kindness. I love creating happiness for the fans.»

It was just like the old days at Stamford Bridge, when the norm was to beat and beat the cream of Europe, while Chelsea did everything, passing sharply and constantly probing down both flanks.

But not for Barcelona, ​​who were the weakest shadow of the teams that used to hold possession so easily before ruthlessly finishing chances. On Tuesday, the team could barely hold the ball for three passes, let alone build any sustained pressure.

The defense also looked shabby and was only saved by the referees, as Enzo Fernandez had an Enzo Fernandez goal disallowed for handball after five minutes and another for offside.

Barcelona’s only chance of the evening fell to Ferran Torres after six minutes, but he shot wide with a gaping goal.

Chelsea’s pressure finally paid off when Marc Cucurella crossed a low cross from the right in the 27th minute. While two defenders tried to block Pedro Neto’s effort, Jules Kounde put the ball into his own goal.

Things got even better for Chelsea when Araujo was sent off for a second yellow card a minute before half-time after a clumsy trip on Cucurella.

Chelsea, unrecognizable from the side that worked to a 2-2 draw at Qarabag in their last Champions League appearance, continued to control the match and conceded a third disallowed goal from substitute Andrey Santos – who was ruled out for offside in the build-up five minutes after the restart.

But once again it was a brief respite for Barcelona as Estevao took center stage and powered past two tackles before unleashing an absolute piledriver into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

“It all happened very quickly,” he said. «I just found some space, squeezed through and then scored that goal. It was such a special moment for me in my career. I hope to score many more.»

While an 18-year-old starlet soaked up the crowd’s admiration, Barcelona’s version, Lamine Yamal, cut a desperate figure, unable to make any impact before being taken off 12 minutes from time.

Delap then came into action, hitting Fernandez’s cross for his first goal of the season after 73 minutes as everything went rosy for Chelsea.

The win moves the Blues into the top eight of the automatic qualifiers for the time being and puts them well placed with games against Pafos, Atalanta and Napoli to come.

Barcelona, ​​who started on level terms with the Londoners, now face a real fight to avoid the play-offs and will have to get a lot of points from the remaining matches against Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague and FC Copenhagen.

Published on November 26, 2025