Chelsea produced one of their most best European performances in recent years as they beat Barcelona 3–0 at Stamford Bridge, sealing an important Champions League win.
The breakthrough came in an unusual fashion after sustained Chelsea pressure. Pedro Neto’s flick caused chaos in the Barcelona box, forcing Jules Kounde and Ferran Torres into a mix-up that ended with the ball bundled over the line for an own goal, rewarding Chelsea’s energetic start. Barcelona’s night worsened just before the break when captain Ronald Araujo, already on a booking, lunged recklessly into a challenge on Marc Cucurella and received a second yellow, leaving the Spanish champions down to ten men.
Chelsea took full advantage after the interval, controlling the match with confidence and repeatedly carving open Barcelona’s depleted defence. Teenage star Estevao Willian delivered the moment of the night, driving into the box before unleashing a thunderous right-footed strike into the roof of the net to double the lead. VAR drama followed when Liam Delap thought he had been denied a goal by an offside flag, but replays showed Enzo Fernández had timed his pass perfectly. The decision was overturned, sealing Delap’s first Champions League goal and completing a memorable 3–0 win.
The win lifts Chelsea above Barcelona in the league-phase standing. Mauricio Pochettino’s side now turn their focus back to domestic action, where a top-of-the-table Premier League clash with Arsenal awaits on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
