Chelsea Vs Barcelona: Estevao Willian Outshines Lamine Yamal As Blues Storm To 3-0 Win In Champions League

Estevao celebrates after scoring a goal against Barcelona. (AP Photo)

Estevao Willian delivered a stunning solo goal in the Champions League on Tuesday, propelling Chelsea to a 3-0 victory over a 10-man Barcelona. The match at Stamford Bridge spotlighted the teenage talents of Estevao and Lamine Yamal, with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca advising his team to disregard comparisons.

Estevao’s remarkable moment occurred 10 minutes into the second half. He received the ball on the right, maneuvered past two defenders, and blasted it into the roof of Joan Garcia’s net. This marked the 18-year-old’s 10th goal of the season for both club and country, just a few months into his debut season with Chelsea.

The Brazilian winger described it as the pinnacle of his career, especially with his family in attendance. Speaking to Amazon Prime, he expressed his overwhelming emotions, thanking God for his success and expressing hope for future achievements.

Barcelona, already trailing 1-0 and reduced to 10 players, faced an even steeper challenge after Estevao’s goal. Substitute Liam Delap secured the victory for Chelsea in the 73rd minute with a close-range finish.

Chelsea’s dominance was evident from the start against a lacklustre Barcelona side. The match began intensely, with Enzo Fernandez’s fourth-minute goal disallowed for a handball by Wesley Fofana. Shortly after, Ferran Torres missed a clear chance for Barcelona.

Chelsea increased the pressure, with another disallowed goal from Fernandez for offside and a missed opportunity by Pedro Neto. The breakthrough came in the 27th minute following a short-corner routine, with Jules Kounde inadvertently scoring an own goal.

The match turned decisively just before half-time when Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo received a second yellow card for a foul on Marc Cucurella. Chelsea maintained their intensity in the second half, with goals from Estevao and Delap sealing the win. Barcelona, five-time Champions League winners, offered little resistance.

Stamford Bridge fans jeered Yamal after Estevao’s goal and his late substitution. Returning to the Champions League after two years, Chelsea have now won three of their first five games, aiming for a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the last 16. In the Premier League, they sit second ahead of Sunday’s match against leaders Arsenal.

With AFP Inputs