A disjointed Barcelona, playing with ten men, is thrashed by Chelsea (3-0)

Stamford Bridge once again proved to be hostile territory for FC Barcelona. On their eighth visit to Chelsea's ground, Hansi Flick's team suffered their fifth defeat in the Champions League, the second of the 2025/26 season (3-0). Absolutely nothing went right for the Blaugrana side on a night to forget collectively and individually for the Catalans

From Ferran's lack of accuracy in the opening minutes to Araújo's recklessness before halftime, Barça went into the break numerically disadvantaged and trailing 1-0. In the second half, this time, there were neither the strength nor the ideas to even dream of a comeback.

On the contrary, Chelsea made good use of their extra man on the field to round off an unassailable rout that seriously complicates Barça's chances of avoiding the 'play-off' in February for a place in the round of 16

Own goal and sending-off: a first half to forget for Barça

Jules Koundé's own goal against Chelsea

Barça had the 0-1 right at the start, thanks to a steal by Fermín López and a pass from Lamine Yamal to leave Ferran Torres one-on-one with Robert Sánchez. 'El Tiburón', however, failed in his finish with a shot wide, despite having the entire goal at his disposal.

Chelsea responded with two disallowed goals from Enzo Fernández, one for a prior handball by Fofana and another for an offside by Chalobah before the ball fell to the Argentine. The first 20 minutes were even, with an intense rhythm and neither club exerting control in midfield.

After the 23rd minute, however, the 'Blues' settled into the opponent's half, forcing several consecutive corners. After one of them, in the 27th minute, Marc Cucurella received a through ball from Enzo, apparently offside. The full-back crossed low to Estevao and the Brazilian shot directly at Jules Koundé's body

The Frenchman stumbled with the ball and Ferran, who was right behind him. The ball finally slipped between them, sealing the own goal that went up on the scoreboard once the semi-automatic VAR validated Cucurella's position.

After the 1-0, Barça lost control, making several errors in possession and pressing. In the 31st minute, Ronald Araujo was cautioned for protesting a clear foul by Cucurella on Lamine. 13 minutes later, a late tackle by the Barça captain on Chelsea's number 3 cost the Uruguayan his expulsion.

Golazo from Estevao at the start of the second half

Estevao celebrating his goal against Barça

Thus, Barça went into halftime a man down and trailing. Hansi Flick moved Eric García back to center-back, and replaced Ferran Torres with **Marcus Rashford** at halftime. Enzo Maresc did the same, bringing on Andrey Santos for the cautioned Malo Gusto.

The Brazilian settled in the midfield, while Reece James moved back to the wing. In the 55th minute, **a passing error by Frenkie de Jong** allowed James to recover with Barça caught out at the back. The Englishman passed to **Estevao, who easily dribbled past Cubarsí** to set himself up and unleash a powerful shot, impossible for Joan García.

The blaugrana team had previously been saved from a goal by Garnacho which was disallowed due to an offside by Enzo Fernández. Flick wanted to reshuffle the defense with the entry of Christensen for Fermín, as well as sending Raphinha on for Lewandowski with half an hour left to play.

Despite the changes, Barça couldn't find the formula to regain possession. **Pedri's absence was felt more than ever**, and Chelsea, thanks to the good pressing work of their full-backs and the mobility of players like Moisés Caicedo and Enzo himself.

The minutes passed and the 'blues', increasingly comfortable on the field, reached the Barça area with ease. Joan García saved a very dangerous shot from Pedro Neto in the 70th minute, while Fofana also came close to scoring after a corner poorly defended by Barça.

Liam Delap sealed Barça's defeat in London

Finally, in the 73rd minute, a third goal, which seemed inevitable, fell. The semi-automatic VAR was once again the protagonist, this time to validate Enzo Fernández's position, who was enabled by Balde on the other flank. The Argentine passed to the middle for the recently substituted Liam Delap to finish at ease against Joan García.

The play, once again, originated from a turnover in midfield. Understanding that the defeat could be even worse, Flick replaced Balde and Lamine with Gerard Martín and Dani Olmo in the 79th minute. Raphinha came close to scoring a consolation goal a couple of minutes later with a cross-shot that forced Robert Sánchez to stretchThat was barely the second shot on target from a disjointed Barça, who had declined physically and mentally after Araujo's expulsion.

The Catalans now seriously complicate their chances of entering the TOP-8 that grants direct access to the round of 16, although the schedule offers hope of climbing positions in the last three matchdaysIn matchday 6, the Catalans host Eintracht. After that, they visit Slavia Prague and host Copenhagen, all these teams from the lower part of the standings. Chelsea, with the thrashing, momentarily moves up to fourth place.

Match Report: Chelsea FC 3-0 FC Barcelona

• Chelsea FC, 3: Robert Sánchez; Malo Gusto (Santos, min. 46), Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James (Cheampong, min. 83), Caicedo; Estevao (George, min. 83), Enzo Fernández, Garnacho (Delap, min. 59); Pedro Neto (Gittens, min. 76).
• FC Barcelona, 0: Joan García; Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Balde (Gerard Martín, min. 79); Eric García, Frenkie de Jong; Lamine Yamal (Olmo, min. 79), Fermín (Christensen, min. 62), Ferran (Rashford, min. 46); Lewandowski (Raphinha, min. 62).
• Goals: 1-0, Jules Koundé (min. 27, o.g.); 2-0, Estevao (min. 55); 3-0, Liam Delap (min. 73)
• Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia). Booked Ronald Araujo for Barça. Sent off Ronald Araujo before halftime for a second yellow. For Chelsea, Malo Gusto was cautioned.
• Stadium: Stamford Bridge, London.
• Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26.