Estevao outshines Yamal as Chelsea crush Barcelona in one-sided UCL encounter

News Express |26th Nov 2025 | 57
Estevao outshines Yamal as Chelsea crush Barcelona in one-sided UCL encounter

Chelsea's wonderkid Estevao Willian striking down Barca Tuesday night PHOTO: Getty Images via BBC




It was billed as the battle of the two teenage wonderkids - and for once it was Lamine Yamal who found himself overshadowed, cast aside from the spotlight.

This was Estevao Willian's night.

With Chelsea already 1-0 up and Barcelona down to 10 men, the 18-year-old produced a truly memorable moment to light up an already raucous Stamford Bridge.

Collecting a pass from Reece James, Estevao cut inside, turned Alejandro Balde inside out and then sent a rasping drive into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

As former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin put it: "Start believing the hype."

"The goal's the bit everyone will see, and it was wonderful in a number of ways," Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live after the 3-0 victory. "It was just so tight, the footwork, and it's a brilliant, brilliant finish.

"But all the other parts of his game, the intelligence, the movement, the picking up of position... he's a natural. Because usually footballers are called natural and they're not - but it just looks so effortless for him. Some players just move differently to other players, a grace and elegance. It's beautiful to see."

Speaking on Amazon Prime, ex-Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge added: "The anticipation and expectation was that it was going to be Yamal's night and it would be all about him. But you see Estavao tonight and it was absolutely brilliant."

Yamal's evening came to an end in the 80th minute, substituted to jeers with the match already lost.

Just two minutes and 40 seconds later, Estevao departed to a standing ovation.

'Definitely the best moment of my career so far'

Tuesday's Champions League game was the first time Yamal had faced Estevao in an official match. The 18-year-olds were born three months apart in 2007.

They are now considered the two most valuable teenagers in world football - according to CIES Football Observatory, external, Yamal is valued at a staggering £307.4m, with Estevao second but lagging far behind at £103.8m.

And, while the pair will inevitably draw comparisons, the Barcelona and Spain forward remains ahead in most - though not all - attacking statistics.

Yamal is certainly more established - he finished second behind Ousmane Dembele in the Ballon d'Or, starred when Spain won Euro 2024 aged 17 and has twice won the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the world's best young player.

Having broken on to the scene at 16, Yamal is also more experienced - especially at the highest level of European football. (BBC, but headline rejigged)

Comments

Post Comment

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 5:11 AM
ADVERTISEMENT

Follow us on

GOCOP Accredited Member

GOCOP Accredited member
logo

NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.

Contact

Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State.
+234(0)8098020976, 07013416146, 08066020976
info@newsexpressngr.com

Find us on

Facebook
Twitter

Copyright NewsExpress Nigeria 2025