Liam Delap has long imagined scoring in the Champions League. At Stamford Bridge, that dream finally came alive as he struck in Chelsea’s emphatic 3-0 win over Barcelona.
Chelsea dominated from the first whistle and tightened their grip before the half-hour mark.
Marc Cucurella’s surging run and Pedro Neto’s clever flick forced Jules Kounde into an own goal to put the Blues ahead.
After the break, Barcelona were reduced to ten men and the rhythm shifted even more in Chelsea’s favour.
Estevao Willian then delivered a breathtaking solo run and finish to double the advantage and lift the crowd to its feet.
Enzo Maresca side’s control continued. Delap finished off a flowing move by tapping in Enzo Fernandez’s square ball to seal the victory and cap a night he will never forget.
“It was incredible,” Delap said. “You grow up dreaming of nights like this, so it’s a very special moment for me. We had a game plan, and everyone executed it really well. I thought it was a great performance and a great night for everyone involved.”
The win pushed Chelsea to fifth in the league phase standings. The Englishman believes the squad’s growth is becoming clear with each match.
“I believe we’re building something really good here. We’re working together every day, and we’re getting better and better. We come into every game with huge belief. Today, we showed that we can do it against anyone.”
He continued: “We knew how strong Barcelona are and how many good players they have, but we also knew that their high line is so high, and we knew that we needed to be defensively solid, and that we could hurt them. Defensively, everyone was really solid.
“We had to pass the ball about to create that space, and I think everyone should be really proud of themselves.”
Estevao Willian stole plenty of headlines with his electric performance. Delap praised the teenager’s fearless impact.
“He’s so young, but he’s so exciting,” Delap explained. “He’s so raw, and he’s got the world at his feet at the moment. He’s just got to stay grounded and keep working hard.”
It was a night that showed Chelsea’s confidence, discipline, and rising firepower. And for Delap, it was the night a dream finally took flight.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
