Barcelona Endure Embarrassing Defeat To Chelsea At Stamford Bridge

 

Barcelona had a futile trip to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge in a Champions League encounter, losing 3-0 with an opening goal blunder, and put the Blues in the lead. 

The Spaniards played 10-man through the second half, following Ronald Araujo's second yellow card offense. Chelsea got their revenge on their opponents, whom they had lost 3-0 at Nou Camp in the second round of 16 in the 2017/18 season.

Jules Koundes' own goal put Chelsea ahead. Mario Cucurella darted into the area and cut back the ball into the six-yard box for Pedro Neto's tap-in. The effort was blocked, and Koundes deflected the ball into the net. 

The second goal followed after the interval as Barcelona played one man down. Estavao dribbled past the opponents' defense and struck the ball into the top corner from a difficult angle. Neto initiated the third goal. The forward latched into the opponents' half, played in Enzo Fernandez, whose cross landed right for Liam Delap's tap-in. 

The victory was the Blues' first win against Barcelona since their last, which they drew 1-1 in the first leg of the semi-final of the 2011/13 season. 

Overview 

Barcelona had an embarrassing game at Stamford Bridge. They were outperformed and outpaced by the Blues. Frustration set in, and Ronald Araujo was dismissed for a second yellow card offense. It was not a game of delight for the Spaniard's frontline, whose Yamal and Lewandowski often enjoyed possession of the ball. Rather, Chelsea dictated the game, pressing deep in the opponents' box with contributions from Enzo and Estavao, tearing apart Barcelona's resolve. The goal margin was rewarding to the side for their efforts.