A clumsy own goal gave Chelsea the lead, but Estêvão’s goal was memorable as Barcelona were thrashed 3-0 in the Champions League. The guests had to play a half-time outnumbered after team captain Ronald Araújo was sent off, and Barcelona lost their second game in league play. After a short corner kick, Marc Cucurella got to the short line and hit hard into the box. Pedro Neto sent the ball towards goal, but Ferrán Torres and Jules Koundé stood in the way. The ball bounced several times between them, and the pinball game ended with Koundé tripping the ball into his own goal. Just before the break, the situation became more serious for Barcelona when Araujo fouled Cucurella in a Chelsea transition and picked up his second yellow card. Estêvão doubled Chelsea’s lead with some magic in the 55th minute. He used Pau Cubarsí and Alejandro Balde as slalom goalkeepers on a dribble raid towards the corner of the 5-yard box and then tapped the ball into the goal over Joan García’s head. Substitute Liam Delap made it 3-0 with a goal that was initially ruled out for offside, but upheld after VAR review. (NTB)
Chelsea Triumphs 3-0 Over Barcelona with Own Goal and Wonder Strike
