Estevao dazzles for rampant Chelsea as 10-man Barcelona fold
Estevao netted a stunning solo strike in the Champions League to outshine teenage rival Lamine Yamal on Tuesday, as Chelsea crushed 10-man Barcelona 3-0.
The spotlight was on the pair of 18-year-olds ahead of the Stamford Bridge clash, with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca advising his youngster to brush off the hype.
Estevaos brilliance arrived just after the break, picking up the ball wide right, gliding past two markers, and rifling it into the top corner past Joan Garcia.
This marked his tenth goal across club and international duty in his debut campaign with Chelsea for the speedy winger.
Estevaos strike left Barcelona, who were already behind and reduced to ten, facing an uphill battle, and replacement Liam Delap sealed the win in the 73rd minute with a simple finish from near the goal line.
Delaps effort was first chalked off for offside, yet VAR corrected the decision.
The uneven result fairly reflected the dominance of two-time European champions Chelsea, who outclassed a lacklustre Barcelona side right from the start.
The match kicked off at breakneck speed.
Enzo Fernandez nodded the ball in during the fourth minute, but it was disallowed due to Wesley Fofanas handball.
Shortly after, Ferran Torres looked set to open the scoring for the visitors when through on goal against Robert Sanchez alone, but he sliced his effort wide.
Raised the intensity
The action slowed after that until Chelsea ramped up the pressure once more.
Fernandez found the net again, only for offside to nullify it, and soon Pedro Neto fired high over from a promising position.
Chelseas persistence bore fruit in the 27th minute via a clever short corner.
The delivery swung into the area where Barcelonas defence faltered, leading to Jules Kounde deflecting the ball into his own goal.
The contest shifted dramatically just before the interval as Barcelona skipper Ronald Araujo picked up a second booking for a clumsy foul on Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea kept up the relentless approach post break and earned their rewards with strikes from Estevao and Delap, as the five-time Champions League holders Barcelona barely threatened.
Stamford Bridge supporters mocked the quiet Yamal following Estevaos goal and booed as he made way late on.
Marescas squad, returning to the Champions League after a two-year absence, have secured three victories from five outings, boosting their hopes of a top-eight finish.
Such a position guarantees a spot in the knockout rounds.
The team is also gaining steam in the Premier League, holding second place before hosting table-topping Arsenal on Sunday.