Estevao Shines as Chelsea Defeats Barcelona 3-0 in Champions League

Chelsea delivered a resounding performance to defeat Barcelona 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League, solidifying their status as serious title contenders. The match, held at Stamford Bridge on November 25, 2025, saw Estevao emerge as the star of the show, outshining Barcelona's Lamine Yamal with a brilliant goal.

The Brazilian teenager scored a breathtaking goal in the second half, beating Pau Cubarsi to thunder an effort into the roof of the net. This goal was the highlight of a dominant display by Chelsea, who led through an own goal by Jules Kounde in the first half. Barcelona's captain, Ronald Araujo, was sent off just before the break for a second booking, further tilting the balance in Chelsea's favor.

Substitute Liam Delap added Chelsea's third goal, his first since the Club World Cup, after a VAR review overturned an initial offside decision. This victory marked Chelsea's first win over Barcelona in 53 games, with Marc Cucurella, named player of the match, playing a pivotal role in nullifying Barcelona's threat. Cucurella's performance was instrumental in shutting down Yamal, who had a disappointing night.

Chelsea's victory was also notable for the impressive debut of their manager, Enzo Maresca, who made the bold decision to start without a recognized striker. Pedro Neto played as the false nine, and Joao Pedro was dropped, a strategy that paid off handsomely as Chelsea bossed the Spanish champions to move fifth in the Champions League standings.

This win sets Chelsea up perfectly for their upcoming match against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, further underlining their credentials as contenders for major honors this season. The team's performance was a testament to their growing strength and depth, with several players delivering standout performances.

Chelsea's Estevao (18 years and 215 days) became the third teenager to score in each of his first three Champions League starts, joining an elite group that includes Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. The young forward's goal was a highlight of the match, showcasing his potential and setting the stage for what could be a remarkable career.

In post-match interviews, Maresca praised Estevao's performance, noting that both he and Yamal have the potential to become future stars. Estevao himself was overwhelmed by the experience, calling it the most special moment of his career. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and looked forward to scoring many more goals in the future.

Cucurella also singled out Estevao's performance, noting that the young forward is quickly catching up to Yamal in terms of quality and personality. The Chelsea player of the match highlighted the strength of the dressing room, noting that the team's unity and support have been crucial to their success.

The match was a clear demonstration of Chelsea's growing strength and their ability to compete with the best in Europe. With a dominant performance against one of the world's top teams, Chelsea has sent a clear message that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League.