Chelsea dominate Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League with a spectacular solo goal from teenage star Estevao after Araujo’s red card
LONDON: Estevao scored a breathtaking solo goal to win the battle of teenage prodigies as Chelsea humbled 10-man Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old Brazilian produced his moment of magic 10 minutes after half-time at Stamford Bridge.
He received the ball on the right, beat two defenders, and lashed it into the roof of the net for his 10th goal of the season for club and country.
“I don’t really have any words to sum up how I’m feeling right now,” Estevao told Amazon Prime.
“It really was the perfect night. I’m just grateful to God for everything that has happened for me.”
The goal gave Barcelona, already trailing 1-0 and down to 10 men, a mountain to climb.
Substitute Liam Delap put the game to bed in the 73rd minute, sidefooting home from close range.
Chelsea were superior from the first whistle against a pallid Barcelona team.
The home side’s pressure paid off in the 27th minute following a short-corner routine.
Barcelona tied themselves in knots defensively, with Jules Kounde poking the ball into his own net.
The game took a decisive turn moments before half-time when Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo received a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea maintained their intensity in the second half and were richly rewarded.
Stamford Bridge fans taunted Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal after Estevao scored and jeered when he was substituted late in the game.
Maresca’s men have now won three of their first five Champions League games after two years away from the competition.
The victory gives Chelsea a fighting chance of finishing in the top eight for automatic qualification to the last 16.
The club are also picking up momentum in the Premier League, sitting second ahead of Sunday’s home match against leaders Arsenal. – AFP
