Stamford Bridge witnessed one of those European nights that Chelsea supporters will recall for decades as their side delivered a performance of ruthless authority to dismantle Barcelona 3-0 and announce themselves as genuine contenders in this season’s Champions League.
Seven years after Lionel Messi orchestrated a 3-0 humiliation here in the last 16, the scoreline was reversed in stunning fashion.
An own goal from Jules Koundé, a brilliant strike from the teenage sensation Estêvão and a late finish from Liam Delap sealed a victory that could easily have reached five or six such was Chelsea’s dominance after Ronald Araujo’s dismissal.
The tone was set in a breathless opening spell. Enzo Fernández twice had the ball in the net only for handball and offside to intervene, while Ferran Torres somehow spooned wide from three yards at the other end. That miss proved Barcelona’s only meaningful sight of goal.
Chelsea’s pressure told on 29 minutes when Marc Cucurella’s low cross from a short corner caused panic and Koundé diverted past his own goalkeeper. Araujo’s night unravelled moments later.
Already cautioned for dissent, the Barcelona captain lunged recklessly at Cucurella and received a second yellow card that left his side facing an uphill task before half-time.
Reduced to ten men, Barcelona wilted. Hansi Flick sent on Marcus Rashford at the interval but the substitute could make no impression.
Ten minutes after the restart Andrey Santos robbed possession high up the pitch, Reece James released Estêvão and the 18-year-old Brazilian shimmied past Pau Cubarsí before crashing a shot into the roof of the net.
At 18 years and 215 days he became only the second player after Kylian Mbappé to score in each of his first three Champions League starts.
Delap’s composed finish completed the scoring yet the margin flattered the visitors. Chelsea, fresh from their Club World Cup success in the summer, played with the conviction of a team that now believes the biggest prizes are within reach. On this evidence few would argue otherwise.
