Barcelona suffered a crushing 3-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with a Ronald Araujo red card exacerbating a night of complete domination by the home side.
Chelsea cruised to a 3–0 win over a 10-man Barcelona today at Stamford Bridge, capitalising on an early own goal and a red card to Ronald Araujo, while 18-year-old Estevao and Liam Delap added their names to the scoresheet.
Player Ratings & Performance
Joan García (GK) — 4/10
The young Barcelona goalkeeper was constantly under pressure as Chelsea dominated from the start. He could do little about the own goal by Jules Koundé in the 27th minute, and with the team reduced to ten men, was frequently tested in the second half as the Blues pressed relentlessly.
Pau Cubarsí (RB) — 5/10
Cubarsí struggled to contain Chelsea’s attacking transitions, especially down his flank, where Chelsea found space repeatedly. He was rarely able to support attacks, and defensively often left exposed after Araujo’s red card.
Ronald Araujo (CB, captain) — 3/10
Araujo’s night went from bad to worse. First he conceded an own goal via defensive confusion, then in the 44th minute he was shown a second yellow for a reckless foul on Marc Cucurella — a decision widely condemned as “idiotic.” His red card effectively ended Barcelona’s hopes.
Alejandro Balde (LB) — 5/10
Balde attempted to provide width and counter-attacking outlets, but with the team pinned back for long stretches, he rarely influenced the game going forward and spent most of his time defending.
Jules Koundé (CB) — 4/10
Koundé’s own goal put Barcelona on the back foot early, and though not directly at fault for every Chelsea attack, the morale blow from putting the ball into his own net seemed to haunt the back line.
Fermín López (DM) — 4/10
Attempting to shield a back now short of numbers, López was overrun in midfield. Chelsea dominated possession, and Fermín often looked isolated, missing tackles and failing to build any meaningful transition play.
Frenkie de Jong (CM) — 5/10
de Jong tried to steady Barcelona’s midfield and drag the team forward, but with spaces opening behind the defence, he couldn’t compensate for the numerical inferiority. His touches were too infrequent, and Barcelona rarely threatened.
Eric García (CM) — 5/10
García offered some composure on the ball and tried to help plug the defensive gaps, but Chelsea’s pressure was unrelenting. The team’s shape collapsed after the red card, rendering his efforts largely symbolic.
Robert Lewandowski (CF) — 4/10
Lewandowski found few serviceable chances all night. With Barcelona forced to sit deep, the striker was starved of service and never truly got involved in dangerous attacking situations.
Ferran Torres (RW) — 5/10
Torres provided occasional bursts out wide, but with the game largely decided by Chelsea’s control, he had minimal impact. His crossing was poor and he failed to trouble the Chelsea back line.
Lamine Yamal (LW) — 4/10
Yamal endured a night to forget and was substituted in the 80th minute. He looked anonymous offensively and was often nullified by Chelsea’s compact defence, unable to spark any meaningful threat.