Chelsea star Estevao produced a stunning solo goal as the Brazilian teenager outshined Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in the battle of the wonderkids at Stamford Bridge.
Estevao and Yamal had been the focus of the build-up to the Champions League tie, with the pair emerging as two of the most talked about rising stars in world football.
While Yamal has enjoyed the spotlight since breaking into the Barcelona team aged 15, Estevao has made an impressive start to life at Chelsea following his summer move from Palmeiras.
The Brazilian underlined his talent with a superb individual effort against Barcelona, doubling Chelsea’s advantage on the night.
After receiving possession, Estevao weaved his way past one Barcelona defender to break into the box.
Estevao then worked the ball onto his right foot before unleashing a powerful drive into the roof of the Barcelona net.
The 18-year-old’s effort was clocked at a speed of 64mph, as the Brazilian effectively put the match beyond 10-man Barcelona’s reach.
‘Wow, what a goal that is,’ former England striker Alan Shearer said on Amazon Prime.
‘You can hear there is an anticipation, an excitement around the ground when Estevao has been on the ball tonight.
‘That is exactly why because when he produces things like that, the way he goes past the defender.
‘You then think “what are you going to do with it”, the most important bit is that finishing touch, and absolutely he can.
‘He goes past the defenders with ease and what a finish that is.’
Estevao’s effort extended Chelsea’s advantage on the night following Jules Kounde’s first half own goal.
Barcelona had been reduced to 10-men late in the first half, after Ronald Araujo was sent off for two bookable offences, with the second coming for a clumsy challenge on Marc Cucurella.
Cucurella had been influential for Chelsea with the Spaniard tasked with keeping his international team-mate Yamal quiet.
The full back succeeded in the task with Yamal struggling to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.
Yamal was eventually withdrawn to cheers from the Chelsea crowd in the 80th minute, with Barcelona having gone 3-0 down following a close range Liam Delap effort.
Chelsea fans gave Estevao a rousing reception after he was substituted by Enzo Maresca three minutes later, with the Blues boss turning his attentions to a crunch Premier League clash with Arsenal on the weekend.
