Yamal Outshined: Brazilian Teen Steals the Show at Stamford Bridge

In a breathtaking Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, Chelsea dismantled Barcelona 3–0, with young Brazilian striker Estevão emerging as the star. While Barcelona’s Lamin Yamal was highly anticipated to shine, Chelsea’s Spanish defender Marc Cucurella effectively contained him throughout the match.

Barcelona’s defensive woes started early with Jules Koundé’s own goal in the 27th minute, giving Chelsea the lead. At 55 minutes, Estevão showcased his brilliance, receiving a pass on the right flank, cutting past two Barcelona defenders, and scoring a stunning goal. The third goal came at 73 minutes from Chelsea striker Liam Dalap, sealing Barcelona’s fate.

Yamal struggled to make an impact, managing only one shot despite completing four successful dribbles and winning twelve duels. Estevão’s two shots within ten minutes were decisive, one of which became the match-winning goal and highlighted his extraordinary talent.

Estevão also became the third teenager in Champions League history to score in his first three matches, achieving this feat at just 18 years and 215 days. Before him, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland had set similar records. This season, Estevão has scored ten goals across club and international appearances. After the match, he said, “Words cannot describe how I feel. It was a perfect night. I am thankful to God for everything.”

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca urged caution against comparing young talents like Estevão and Yamal to legends such as Messi or Ronaldo. “At 18, they should enjoy playing and be happy on the training ground. Comparing them to Messi or Ronaldo adds unnecessary pressure,” he said.

Following this defeat, Barcelona drops to 15th place with seven points from five matches. Chelsea sits 5th with ten points, showcasing their rising form in the Champions League group stage.

Table: Key Match Events