Chelsea drew 2-2 with Qarabag on Wednesday, with Estevao Willian and Alejandro Garnacho both scoring for the Blues.
Estevao gave Chelsea the lead and was hoping to inspire the team to their third consecutive victory in Europe’s elite competition after wins against Ajax and Benfica.
Unfortunately, the Brazilian was unable to, but he still had a game to remember after making a bit of history.
Reece James has helped Estevao make a good start at Chelsea, with the winger already scoring in multiple competitions for the Blues.
Chelsea winger Estevao Willian celebrating goal
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea’s Estevao Willian the first 18-year-old South American to score in back-to-back Champions League games
Estevao has now scored two goals in two consecutive Champions League matches following his strike against Qarabag.
It means that the winger is the first South American who has managed to accomplish that feat as an 18-year-old.
Not even Lionel Messi was able to do it when he was still a teenager, putting Estevao’s latest achievement into perspective.
His previous Champions League goal came in Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Ajax at Stamford Bridge, a result they were unable to fully build on at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.
Nevertheless, Estevao can still be pleased with his contribution, as can Garnacho after grabbing Chelsea’s equaliser. It has been claimed that Garnacho is impressing Chelsea staff with his willingness to stay behind after training and work on his finishing.
Chelsea winger Estevao Willian with Player of the Match award
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Estevao Willian’s stats vs Qarabag
Estevao was undoubtedly Chelsea’s most dangerous player against Qarabag. According to Sofascore, he had three shots, made three key passes and completed three dribbles.
Even so, Chelsea could have done with their talisman Cole Palmer, who has now missed the Blues’ last three Champions League fixtures.
However, Palmer could return for the visit of Barcelona in a huge boost to Enzo Maresca. With him and Estevao in the side, the Blues may be able to do some real damage. Defensively, though, there are still plenty of question marks.