Chelsea's Champions League rout of Barcelona continued unabated, with the Blues adding a third goal to their tally in a dominant 80-minute display that left Estevão as the hero. The Portuguese winger won the battle of the teenage geniuses this evening, outshining his Catalan counterpart Raphinha with a dazzling solo effort.
Chelsea had been well on top at halftime, with several chances created but few clear-cut opportunities. However, in the second 45 minutes, the Blues upped their tempo and dominance. Yamal and Balde were eventually replaced by Olmo and Martin, allowing Chelsea to further nullify Barcelona's attacking threat.
Barca's defense was breached just after kickoff when Raphinha found himself unmarked but his shot from close range was well saved by Garcia. At the other end, Estevão showed off his skills as he dribbled past Cubarsi before unleashing a rising shot that left Garcia with no chance.
Chelsea continued to press forward, with several more chances falling their way. James had a free kick saved by Garcia, while Garnacho and Delap both had clear-cut opportunities but saw them denied by the Catalan keeper. Garcia was also beaten at his near post by Estevão's quality shot after Delap's sidefoot shot from close range was deflected into the bottom corner.
Yamal and Balde were booked in a congested 15-minute period of intense action, as both players struggled to cope with the pace and power of Chelsea's midfield quartet. Their replacement, Olmo, struggled to make an impact before being replaced by Martin at halftime.
The two teams went into the break one goal up for Chelsea, with Estevão still fresh from his first-half heroics. Despite the loss, Barcelona were well worth a point in this match, but they fell short of making it 2-1 at the interval.
Chelsea had been well on top at halftime, with several chances created but few clear-cut opportunities. However, in the second 45 minutes, the Blues upped their tempo and dominance. Yamal and Balde were eventually replaced by Olmo and Martin, allowing Chelsea to further nullify Barcelona's attacking threat.
Barca's defense was breached just after kickoff when Raphinha found himself unmarked but his shot from close range was well saved by Garcia. At the other end, Estevão showed off his skills as he dribbled past Cubarsi before unleashing a rising shot that left Garcia with no chance.
Chelsea continued to press forward, with several more chances falling their way. James had a free kick saved by Garcia, while Garnacho and Delap both had clear-cut opportunities but saw them denied by the Catalan keeper. Garcia was also beaten at his near post by Estevão's quality shot after Delap's sidefoot shot from close range was deflected into the bottom corner.
Yamal and Balde were booked in a congested 15-minute period of intense action, as both players struggled to cope with the pace and power of Chelsea's midfield quartet. Their replacement, Olmo, struggled to make an impact before being replaced by Martin at halftime.
The two teams went into the break one goal up for Chelsea, with Estevão still fresh from his first-half heroics. Despite the loss, Barcelona were well worth a point in this match, but they fell short of making it 2-1 at the interval.
I mean, what's the point of even watching football anymore? It's all just about individual skills and fancy footwork like Estevão showed off tonight 
. Remember when Messi used to carry his team on his back and score goals for fun? Now it's all about the solo efforts and leaving defenders in the dust 
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. Chelsea just sat back and waited for Barcelona to make a mistake, whereas Barcelona kept trying to go forward and create something out of nothing.
. Give me the good old days of Maradona vs. England or Beckham's free kicks anytime 
and his shot in the second half was absolute perfection 
. How did Raphinha not make it to the post with that chance? 
Barcelona were so unlucky and Estevão just stole the show 
. And I'm loving how Chelsea just dominated the game, they're like a well-oiled machine 
! What's going on with Yamal and Balde though? They looked so out of their depth against Chelsea's midfield quartet 
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estevão is like the real deal, that solo effort was insane! 
i mean, barca had some chances too, raphinha's shot was almost a goal, and james's free kick would've been a beauty if it went in. anyway, chelsea took it to them 80 minutes of dominance? impressive. estevão's win over raphinha is gonna be talked about for ages 
i feel like barca's defense was all over the place at times 
yamal and balde were gettin roasted by chelsea's midfielders 
!" he's literally the best winger out there right now 
. And can we talk about Chelsea's midfield? they're like a well-oiled machine 
, totally dismantling Barcelona's defense 
. But seriously, it was such an exciting game and I loved watching the skillful moves on both sides of the pitch 
!
, his skills are unreal! And that goal he scored in the second half was pure magic 
. On the other hand, Barcelona had some great chances but Garcia's saves were just clutch 
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. Still, credit to them for not giving up, even though it was an uphill battle 
.
i mean i love barca but man estevão's skills are on another level 
and garcia was just incredible as usual 
what a shot! 
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and estevão is just the man, dude can't believe that guy is only 19 years old 
. chelsea just dominated the whole game, it was like they were playing with 11 vs barcelona's 11 
i loved how chelsea took control of the game in the second half, their midfield was unstoppable 
meanwhile raphinha had zero impact and thats sad because he seems like a super talented player 
their midfield quartet is like a well-oiled machine 
. Garcia was having a crazy game in goal, i'm surprised he didn't make one or two more saves 
. anywayz, this is definitely a win for chelsea and i'm hyped 
can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds for them 
what a finish