Chelsea star outclasses Lamine Yamal as Barcelona win sends Champions League statement

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The last time Chelsea beat Barcelona they went on to win the Champions League This victory will leave them dreaming of winning it again with Enzo Maresca’s class of 2025/26.

And teenager Estevao Willian’s sensational goal will long be remembered on a night when he outshone Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal.

Chelsea famously last beat Barcelona in the semi-final in April 2012 when Didier Drogba scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge and then - somehow - they snatched a 2-2 draw against Lionel Messi and Co in the return leg in the Nou Camp.

The Blues went on to win the Champions League for the first time that year on an unforgettable night in Munich and they did it again under Thomas Tuchel in 2021.

And Chelsea looked like European heavyweights again as they produced a high octane, breathless and dazzling display to knock out ten man Barcelona.

This was another masterclass from Maresca who seems to store up unexpected tactics for big games which just makes you think they may have half a chance this season.

It was Maresca who outwitted Paris Saint Germain in the Club World Cup final in July and he outsmarted Barcelona at Stamford Bridge this time, having already outwitted Liverpool and Tottenham in big games this season.

These clubs have so much history from Drogba’s rant into the camera after Barcelona’s last gasp win in 2009 to Jose Mourinho getting himself a ban for his antics in the Nou Camp which famously led to him hiding in a laundry basket.

Maresca is not half as dastardly as Mourinho but he does have the same thirst for trophies having won the Europa Conference League, qualified for the Champions League and then the Club World Cup in his first season.

It is hard to get too carried away about Chelsea when, despite being second, no-one really gives them much of a chance in the Premier League title race.

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But in one-off games, Maresca just seems to have a tactical masterplan which can defeat the best and that is what you need when the knock out stages start. This time Pedro Neto played as a false nine, Reece James started in midfield and it worked a treat.

Barcelona certainly gave Chelsea a helping hand as it was Jules Kounde’s own goal which gifted the home side a first half lead. Then Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo, already on a booking for dissent, got a second yellow card just before half time for scything down Marc Cucurella.

To be honest, you could almost understand it. Cucurella, who graduated through Barcelona B, typified the Chelsea performance. Full of energy, pace and determination. They never let Barcelona have a moment’s peace.

Just as impressively, Chelsea kept a clean sheet at the other end which ended Barcelona’s remarkable record of scoring in 24 consecutive games in this competition, a run which dates dates back two years.

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Chelsea started at high speed - and never took their foot off the gas. They had the ball in the net twice only to be ruled out by VAR on offside decisions. But it was third time lucky after 27 minutes.

Left back Cucurella - bizarrely popping up down the right - sent over a low cross. Kounde got himself into a terrible mix-up with Ferran Torres in the six yard box. Kounde eventually unwittingly flicked it into his own net.

It was 2-0 after 55 minutes when Estevao owned the stage. James played the ball forward, the 18-year-old Brazil star beat Pau Cubarsi, held off Alejandro Balde and then smashed his shot into the roof of the net.

There was time for a third. Enzo Fernandez kept himself onside - courtesy of a VAR check - and then squared it for substitute Liam Delap to side foot home.