Stamford Bridge was electric on Tuesday night. Chelsea secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Barcelona in UEFA Champions League Matchday 5. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen delivered the shock of the round. They defeated Manchester City on their home ground. This night dramatically reshaped the Champions League narrative. Two European giants suffered emphatic defeats.
Chelsea Dominates Barcelona at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge witnessed a captivating clash. Teenage sensations Estevao and Lamine Yamal were in the spotlight. However, Chelsea’s youngster Estevao stole the show. Ten minutes into the second half, the 18-year-old dazzled. He drifted from the right wing, evaded two defenders, and fired a powerful shot. It hit the top of Joan Garcia’s net. This marked his tenth goal of an impressive debut season. It came for both club and country.
Barcelona was already a goal down and a man short. Estevao’s finish crushed their recovery hopes. Chelsea remained relentless. Liam Delap sealed the win in the 73rd minute. He tapped in from close range. VAR initially ruled it offside. However, the decision was overturned. This brought cheers from the delighted home supporters.
Chelsea had threatened earlier in the match. Enzo Fernandez scored twice, but both efforts were disallowed. Pedro Neto also fired over a good chance. Their persistence paid off in the 27th minute. A short-corner routine caused confusion in the Barca box. Jules Kounde ultimately turned the ball into his own net.
Barcelona’s evening worsened before halftime. Captain Ronald Araujo received a second yellow card. It was for a clumsy tackle on Marc Cucurella. With ten men, the five-time champions struggled. They failed to create any meaningful plays. The Stamford Bridge crowd taunted Yamal after Estevao’s goal. They roared again when the winger was substituted later on.
This was Chelsea’s third win in five European games. It keeps them firmly in contention. They are hunting a top-eight finish. This would secure their place in the last 16.
Bayer Leverkusen Stuns Manchester City
Elsewhere in England, Manchester City experienced a dismal night. Pep Guardiola opted for significant squad rotation. This decision ultimately backfired. Bayer Leverkusen secured a stunning 2-0 victory at the Etihad. Guardiola rested key players. Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Gianluigi Donnarumma were all absent. His modified team never found its rhythm.
Leverkusen sensed an opportunity. Alex Grimaldo scored midway through the first half. He finished expertly as City’s defence failed to react. Guardiola’s frustration was evident. City controlled possession but lacked a cutting edge. Omar Marmoush struggled to match Haaland’s usual threat. Tijjani Reijnders also missed a clear chance before the break. Guardiola introduced Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Nico O’Reilly at halftime. The young O’Reilly nearly made an instant impact. However, Leverkusen’s defence held strong.
The visitors extended their lead in the 54th minute. Ibrahim Maza delivered a teasing cross. Patrik Schick outmuscled Nathan Aké. He then steered a header into the far corner. From that point, City seemed unlikely to recover. Even a late introduction for Haaland could not change their fortunes. Chances continued to slip away.
This defeat marked a significant moment. It was City’s first Champions League group stage home loss since 2018. This ended an impressive 24-match unbeaten run. The club has now suffered consecutive losses. This follows their weekend defeat at Newcastle. Questions are emerging as they trail Arsenal further in the Premier League title race.
Other Champions League Tuesday Results
- Ajax 0-2 Benfica
- Galatasaray 0-1 Union Saint-Gilloise
- Bodø/Glimt 2-3 Juventus
- Napoli 2-0 Qarabag
- Marseille 2-1 Newcastle
- Dortmund 4-0 Villarreal
- Slavia Praha 0-0 Athletic Club
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