Football Dec 07, 2025

Chelsea 3-0 Barcelona: Estevao outshines Lamine Yamal in dominant Champions League win

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Chelsea 3-0 Barcelona: Estevao outshines Lamine Yamal in dominant Champions League win

Estevao outshone Lamine Yamal by scoring a stunning second-half goal in a dominant 3-0 win for Chelsea over 10-man Barcelona that takes them into the Champions League top eight.

In the first meeting between the two best 18-year-olds in world football, it was Chelsea's Brazilian sensation that stole the show, thundering an effort into the roof of the net for his side's second after beating Pau Cubarsi, on a disappointing night for Yamal.

Marc Cucurella, the player of the match, did a job on his Spain team-mate, locking down Barcelona's biggest threat in perhaps his greatest performance in blue, as Chelsea became the first side to stop the Spanish champions from scoring in 53 games.

Chelsea led deservedly through Jules Kounde's unfortunate first-half own goal after Pedro Neto's strike ricocheted off him and, once Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo was sent off just before the break for a second booking, only one side was going to win.

Substitute Liam Delap added Chelsea's third - his first goal since the Club World Cup - after a VAR review overturned the decision to rule it out for offside. That was the first to go in Chelsea's favour, having seen three chalked off beforehand.

Enzo Maresca made the bold decision to start without a recognised striker, Neto playing as the false nine with Joao Pedro dropped, and it paid off handsomely with Chelsea bossing the Spanish champions to move fifth in the Champions League standings.

It sets Chelsea up perfectly ahead of a huge game against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, live on SportNews, and underlines their credentials as contenders for major honours this season.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to BeIN Sports on Estevao:

"The goal was very good. As Raphinha said, probably in the next 10, 15 years, Estevao and Lamine Yamal are probably both going to be the next Messi and Ronaldo.

"But for both, they are 18. They need to enjoy, try to improve every day. This the most important thing for them."

Chelsea's Estevao to Amazon Prime:

"I don't really have any words to sum up how I am feeling right now. It really was the perfect night. I am just grateful to God for making everything happen for me. Onwards and upwards from here.

"It was all very quick for me [for my goal]. It happened before I knew it. I just found some space and wiggled my way through and scored the goal. It was such a special moment for me in my career and I hope to score many more.

"Yes, it was definitely the most special moment in my career. I hope I keep scoring more and more for many years."

Chelsea player of the match Marc Cucurella to Amazon Prime:

"The main difference is that Estevao maybe arrived now to Europe and [he is] maybe a few years back to Lamine [Yamal]. But he showed today that he has a lot of personality and he has good quality."

Asked if Estevao is catching up quickly to Yamal: "Yeah. He's a special guy. We have good people in the dressing room, so hopefully we can help him."

On his performance: "I feel very proud. [My journey] was never easy. The football career always has ups and downs. The most important thing is consistency. Always try to improve, to work hard.

"After these moments, everything always makes sense. We sacrifice a lot of things. When you are young, you need to have a more mature life. You can do all the things that people are doing.

"But I think after these moments, after these performances, everything makes sense."

Tags:

football report id:547986

Share this article

Related Posts

How 10 Premier League teams could be in Europe next season, with six in the Champions League

How 10 Premier League teams could be in Europe next season, with six in the Champions League

The Premier League could have six teams in the Champions League next season and 10 in Europe after a potentially pivotal day on Saturday. , coupled wi...

EFL highlights: Middlesbrough win, Ipswich held; Oxford relegated & MK promoted

EFL highlights: Middlesbrough win, Ipswich held; Oxford relegated & MK promoted

Chelsea offer Shaw bumper dealChelsea have made a contract offer to Khadija "Bunny" Shaw worth at least 1million per year with the 29-y...

Man Utd could let up to 13 players leave this summer as part of squad overhaul - Paper Talk

Man Utd could let up to 13 players leave this summer as part of squad overhaul - Paper Talk

The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...Premier LeagueManchester United could let up to 13 players leave Old Trafford this sum...

Stina Blackstenius: Arsenal forward on Women's Champions League semi-final, Alessia Russo and signing a new contract

Stina Blackstenius: Arsenal forward on Women's Champions League semi-final, Alessia Russo and signing a new contract

There's a sense of deja vu at Arsenal right now. Not only are both senior squads in the Champions League semi-finals, the women's team face OL Lyonnes...

Premier League & FA Cup predictions and best bets: Reaction expected from Chelsea in FA Cup semi-final

Premier League & FA Cup predictions and best bets: Reaction expected from Chelsea in FA Cup semi-final

Our football betting expert Jones Knows offers his insight across the weekend action.Opposing goals in matches at Wembley remains a sustainable long-t...

Celtic go level with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts before title rivals are in action on Sunday

Celtic go level with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts before title rivals are in action on Sunday

Celtic moved level on points with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Falkirk at Celtic Park.Martin O'Neill's sid...