The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Gameweek 5 resumed on Tuesday night with drama scattered across Europe, resulting in massive upsets, stunning individual performances, emotional storylines and major shifts in the league-phase standings.
From a teenage masterclass at Stamford Bridge to Pep Guardiola’s 100th UCL match ending in disaster, here is a detailed roundup of all the action.
Estevao Outshines Yamal as Chelsea Sweep Barcelona Aside
Chelsea’s teenage sensation, Estevão Willian delivered a breathtaking performance to eclipse Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal in a commanding 3–0 victory at Stamford Bridge, as Enzo Maresca’s men strengthened their grip on a top-eight Champions League spot.
The 18-year-old Brazilian scored a spectacular solo goal and inspired a vibrant Chelsea side missing star forward Cole Palmer, while Barcelona unravelled after captain Ronald Araújo was sent off just before half-time.
Chelsea Take Control After Kounde Own Goal
Chelsea seized the early initiative through a well-worked short-corner routine crafted by Estevão, Alejandro Garnacho, and Marc Cucurella.
Their clever interplay forced Barcelona defender Jules Koundé into an error, with Neto’s flick ricocheting off Koundé into the net for a 1–0 lead.
The hosts had already threatened repeatedly, with Enzo Fernández seeing two set-piece goals disallowed for offside, Reece James drawing two strong saves from distance, and Neto blazing over from a clear-cut opportunity.
Barcelona carved out only one major first-half chance, but Ferran Torres dragged a close-range effort wide before being hooked at the break for Marcus Rashford, who was returning from a fever.
Barcelona’s hopes dwindled when Ronald Araújo received his second yellow card just before half-time, leaving the visitors chasing the game with 10 men.
Chelsea wasted no time capitalising.
Estevão Steals the Spotlight With a Stunning Solo Goal
In the clash between world football’s most exciting teenagers, Estevão delivered the defining moment of the night.
Skipping past Pau Cubarsí, muscling through Alejandro Balde, and powering a ruthless finish beyond Joan Garcia, the Brazilian doubled Chelsea’s lead in spectacular fashion.
The goal sent Stamford Bridge into raptures and cemented Estevão’s status as the standout talent on display.
Meanwhile, Yamal, who struggled to make an imprint, was substituted in the 80th minute to jeers from the home crowd.
Two minutes later, Maresca removed Estevão to a standing ovation.
Delap Ends 11-Game Drought to Seal the Win
Substitute Liam Delap, enduring an 11-match goal drought, added Chelsea’s third. Fernández broke the offside trap before squaring the ball for Delap to calmly side-foot home.
The win lifted Chelsea into the top eight of the 36-team league phase, meaning they are on course to avoid February’s play-off round.
Chelsea’s Quiet Confidence Grows
There is a sense of rising belief around Stamford Bridge. While no Chelsea figure has publicly declared title ambitions since Levi Colwill’s early-season remarks, the ambition is clear internally.
With more than £1.5bn invested over three seasons under the BlueCo consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the project aims squarely at elite silverware.
Signs of maturation are evident:
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Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández flourishing in midfield
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Marc Cucurella delivering world-class consistency at left-back
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Estevão Willian emerging as a generational talent with five goals in Palmer’s absence
Chelsea are now unbeaten in six matches (five wins and a draw) since their last defeat to Sunderland, building major momentum ahead of a top-of-the-table Premier League clash with leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
Arsenal remain title favourites, but on this form, Chelsea are forcing their way into the conversation.
Barcelona Falter Without Pedri
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick tempered the significance of the defeat, pointing instead to key absences and individual errors.
His squad lacked:
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Fully fit Raphinha (returned as a sub)
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A fully recovered Marcus Rashford (just back from illness)
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And most critically, Pedri, whose absence left Barcelona vulnerable to Chelsea’s relentless high press
Flick admitted:
“We made some big ball losses, this was the key today. We had some players making unusual mistakes. But I also saw some positive things and we have to work on the other things.
I am happy Raphinha is back and Marcus [Rashford] is at this level and, as I said, I prefer to look positively.”
Barcelona now face a crucial stretch, needing likely three wins from three to qualify directly and avoid the play-offs. Fortunately for them, they have a favourable run:
Eintracht Frankfurt (H), Copenhagen (H), Slavia Prague (A).
Leverkusen Shock City in Guardiola’s 100th UCL Game
Pep Guardiola marked his 100th Champions League game in charge of Manchester City, but the celebration ended miserably as Bayer Leverkusen stunned the defending champions 2–0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola made 10 changes to the starting XI, a decision that badly backfired as fringe players struggled for rhythm.
Leverkusen scored with their only two shots on target, Alejandro Grimaldo’s first-half strike and Patrik Schick’s header.
Star striker Erling Haaland came on in the second half but was repeatedly denied by Mark Flekken, who produced seven saves in a heroic performance.
The loss drops City to sixth, putting their automatic knockout qualification in jeopardy.
After losing manager Xabi Alonso and several key players, Leverkusen turned to former Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand, who has rejuvenated the squad.
Their win at the Etihad lifts them to 13th in the standings, firmly in the playoff zone.
Dortmund Dominate 10-Man Villarreal in 4–0 Victory
Borussia Dortmund climbed to fourth after a convincing 4–0 win over Villarreal.
Serhou Guirassy scored twice, including a rebound from a saved penalty, after Juan Foyth was sent off for a goalline handball.
Additional goals from Karim Adeyemi (via deflection) and Daniel Svensson sealed the result.
Villarreal, third from bottom, face elimination if their form does not improve.
Napoli Celebrate Maradona Anniversary With Win Over Qarabag
On the fifth anniversary of Diego Maradona’s passing, Napoli defeated Qarabag 2–0 at home.
Scott McTominay headed in the opener in the 65th minute and forced the second—a Marko Jankovic own goal—seven minutes later.
Rasmus Hojlund missed a penalty earlier in the match and remains without a goal in six straight games.
Napoli rise to 18th, level on seven points with Qarabag.
Aubameyang’ Brace Seals Marseille 2–1 Win Over Newcastle
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang delivered a vintage performance, scoring twice in four minutes to turn the game on its head at the Stade Vélodrome.
Harvey Barnes opened the scoring early, but Newcastle’s poor away form resurfaced as they allowed Marseille to take control.
Aubameyang punished a defensive lapse for the equaliser before hooking home the winner shortly afterwards.
Eddie Howe’s side have now lost their last three away games despite scoring first in all of them.
Marseille climb to 19th while Newcastle sit eighth.
Juventus Snatch Last-Minute Winner Against Bodo/Glimt
Jonathan David scored in stoppage time as Juventus secured their first Champions League win of the season, beating Bodo/Glimt 3–2.
Goals from Lois Openda and Weston McKennie had overturned the Norwegian side’s opener, before a late penalty appeared to earn Bodo/Glimt a point.
David’s last-gasp tap-in restored Juve’s hopes of pushing into the top eight.
Ajax Sink to New Low With Defeat to Benfica
Ajax suffered their fifth straight Champions League defeat, losing 2–0 to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
Samuel Dahl’s early strike and a late Leandro Barreiro goal condemned the Dutch giants to bottom place—zero points and only one goal scored.
Benfica revived their knockout hopes with the win.
Promise David Fires Union SG to Victory Over Galatasaray
Nigerian forward, Promise David scored the only goal as Union Saint-Gilloise defeated Galatasaray 1–0 in Istanbul.
Both teams hit the woodwork in the first half, but Galatasaray struggled in the absence of injured top scorer Victor Osimhen.
Union rise to six points, while Galatasaray remain stuck on nine after missing the chance to record a historic four straight UCL wins.
2025/26 Champions League Matchday 5
Tuesday:
- Ajax 0-2 Benfica
- Galatasaray 0-1 Union SG
- Dortmund 4-0 Villarreal
- Bodø/Glimt 2-3 Juventus
- Chelsea 3-0 Barcelona
- Manchester City 0-2 Leverkusen
- Marseille 2-1 Newcastle
- Napoli 2-0 Qarabağ
- Slavia Praha 0-0 Athletic Club
Wednesday
- Copenhagen vs Kairat
- Pafos vs Monaco
- Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
- Atlético Madrid vs Inter Milan
- Frankfurt vs Atalanta
- Liverpool vs PSV
- Olympiacos vs Real Madrid
- Paris vs Tottenham
- Sporting CP vs Club Brugge
