UCL: Estevao rules over Yamal

UCL: Estevao rules over Yamal

Estevao Willian delivered a sensational performance as Chelsea thrashed 10-man Barcelona 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League, overshadowing fellow teenage superstar Lamine Yamal under the Stamford Bridge lights.

The 18-year-old Brazilian stole the show with a breathtaking solo goal in the second half, beating Pau Cubarsi, holding off Alejandro Balde, and smashing his finish beyond Joan Garcia to double Chelsea’s lead.

Chelsea had earlier gone ahead through a Jules Kounde own goal, the Barcelona defender diverting Pedro Neto’s strike into his own net following a well-worked short-corner routine.

Read Also: Chelsea vs Barcelona: Maresca plays down Estevao–Lamine Yamal comparisons

Barcelona’s night worsened just before the break when captain Ronald Araujo received a second yellow card, leaving the visitors with 10 men.

With Barcelona reduced in number, Chelsea took full control. Substitute Liam Delap sealed the victory with his first goal since the Club World Cup, ending an 11-game drought.

While the match was billed as a duel between two of the world’s brightest 18-year-old talents, it was Estevao and not Yamal who stole the show. Yamal struggled and was substituted in the 80th minute to jeers from the home crowd.

In the other fixture, Manchester City suffered another shocking home defeat as Bayer Leverkusen claimed a 2-0 victory at the Etihad in their UEFA Champions League clash.

It was City’s second straight loss and their first home defeat in the Champions League group/league phase in seven years, marking a disappointing end to Pep Guardiola’s 100th Champions League game in charge of the club.

Guardiola made 10 changes following the Premier League defeat at Newcastle on Saturday, but the gamble backfired badly as a disjointed City side were punished by a clinical Leverkusen side.

At the Stade Vélodrome, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the hero for Olympique de Marseille, scoring a sensational double as the French side came from behind to earn a vital 2-1 home victory against Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League.

The 36-year-old former Arsenal and Chelsea striker struck twice in four minutes as Marseille completed a dramatic second-half turnaround.

Newcastle opened the scoring after just six minutes, with Harvey Barnes netting his fourth goal of the competition.

But Aubameyang scored the equaliser in the 46th and 50th minutes to seal a comfortable win that keeps Marseille firmly in contention in their Champions League group.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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