Online Reporter
LAMINE YAMAL is the wonderkid everyone in the world of football is talking about.
But as Barcelona visited Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, he was upstaged by fellow prodigy Estevao.
After a quiet first half for the 2025 Ballon d’Or runner-up, he would have been hoping for his fortunes to improve in the second half.
However, ten minutes after the break, it was Estevao who lit up west London as he thundered a strike into the roof of the net from a close angle.
The 18-year-old starlet weaved his way through the Barca defence – without Ronald Araujo who had been sent off just before the break for a clumsy challenge on Marc Cucurella – before letting loose from a tight angle.
His venomous effort was struck at 64mph and left Joan Garcia grasping at thin air as he watched the ball sail into the roof of the net.
Fans in the stadium made their feelings of support clear and aimed a crude chant towards Yamal as their own wonderkid laid down his credentials.
The Chelsea faithful were heard saying: “You’re just a s*** Estavao,” whenever he picked up the ball.
Yamal was subbed off 80 minutes in and was greeted by jeers from the fans.
Estevao’s goal doubled Chelsea’s lead after Jules Kounde‘s unfortunate own goal in the first half, with Liam Delap then adding a third in the 75th minute following a VAR check.
However, it was Estevao’s goal which was all the rage for fans on social media.
It was also his third goal in as many Champions League starts, putting him in an exclusive club with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as only the third teenager to score in each of his first three Champions League starts.
Reacting online, one fan said: “Estevao that was special.”
A second said: “Estevao, goodness me, that is sensational.”
A third said: “WELCOME TO THE ERA OF ESTEVAO.”
Another said: “Estevao just announced himself to the mainstream with that goal.”
Estevao was also replaced moments later by Tyrique George, and as his name was read out by the stadium announcer fans serenaded the star with jubilant cheers.
The result left Chelsea fourth in the Champions League league phase table at the close of play, while Barcelona slipped down to 15th.
And it was not a close affair, with Enzo Maresca‘s Blues seeing three goals ruled out. – Sun
