Chelsea teenager Estevao stole the show on Tuesday as the Blues thrashed 10-man Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, marking a memorable night in the battle of teenage prodigies against Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
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The 18-year-old Brazilian winger scored a stunning solo goal 10 minutes after half-time, dribbling past two defenders before blasting the ball into the top corner of the net. The strike, his 10th of the season for club and country, came just months into his first campaign at Chelsea.
“It really was the perfect night. I’m just grateful to God for everything that has happened for me. Onwards and upwards from here,” Estevao told Amazon Prime. Reflecting on the goal, he added: “I just found some space, wiggled my way through and then scored that goal. It was such a special moment for me.”
The goal put Barcelona, already trailing 1-0 due to an early own goal by Jules Kounde and reduced to 10 men after Ronald Araujo received a second yellow card before half-time, on the ropes. Substitute Liam Delap sealed the victory in the 73rd minute, sidefooting home from close range.
Chelsea dominated from the outset. Early goals by Enzo Fernandez were disallowed, and Ferran Torres missed a one-on-one chance for Barcelona. But Chelsea’s sustained pressure forced Barcelona into mistakes, culminating in Kounde’s own goal in the 27th minute.
The Stamford Bridge crowd celebrated Estevao’s brilliance while jeering the subdued Yamal after he was substituted. Chelsea, back in the Champions League after a two-year absence, now have three wins from five group-stage games, putting them in contention for a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the last 16.
The win also adds momentum in the Premier League, with Chelsea sitting second in the table ahead of Sunday’s clash against leaders Arsenal.
