Joao Pedro strikes twice as Chelsea sink Napoli

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Chelsea produced a dramatic late surge on Wednesday night to defeat Napoli 3–2 in a pulsating UEFA Champions League league final phase clash, silencing the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

The defeat sent Napoli out of the Champions League with Chelsea gaining automatic qualification for the knockout stage.

The Premier League side struck first in the 19th minute when Enzo Fernández calmly converted a penalty after Juan Jesus was penalised for handball, sending goalkeeper Alex Meret the wrong way.

Napoli responded with growing confidence and drew level in the 33rd minute through Antonio Vergara, who finished off a brilliant individual move with a low strike that left Robert Sánchez rooted.

The hosts completed the turnaround shortly before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Mathías Olivera threaded a precise pass into the box for Rasmus Højlund, who rifled home to give Napoli a 2–1 lead at the break.

Chelsea returned from the interval with renewed urgency following tactical changes by coach Liam Rosenior, and the pressure eventually told. In the 61st minute, João Pedro announced himself in spectacular fashion, smashing a long-range effort into the top corner to restore parity at 2–2.

As Napoli pushed for a winner, Chelsea remained patient, and the decisive moment arrived eight minutes from time. Cole Palmer slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the penalty area, where João Pedro showed composure beyond his years to slot the ball into the bottom corner, completing his brace and handing Chelsea a 3–2 lead.

Napoli pressed relentlessly in stoppage time, with Romelu Lukaku going closest in the 94th minute, but Sánchez stood firm to deny the Belgian and secure the victory.