Enzo Maresca, the head coach of Chelsea, pressed his team’s stunning 3-0 win at home to 10-man Barcelona to put the pressure on them, saying “nothing has changed” for them.
Following a superb display of attacking football, which included a brilliant goal from teenage winger Esteval, the London club was on course to reach the last 16 of the competition on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old Brazilian made a flawless save from Pau Cubarsi, who had slipped inside the defenseman, before flying across Alejandro Balde.
Brazilian midfielder #41 Estevao (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal in the UEFA Champions League game between Chelsea and Barcelona on November 25, 2025, at Stamford Bridge in London. Adrian Dennis/AFP photo
Ronald Araujo, the captain for Barcelona, was sent off in the first half for a second bookable offense, and Estevao scored the winner after Jules Kounde’s own goal had given Chelsea the lead.
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Chelsea travel to London’s Premier League leaders Arsenal in a confident mood with the third goal from Liam Delap, his first goal since their pre-season Club World Cup triumph.
On November 25, 2025, Chelsea and Barcelona played at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Champions League’s second goal scoring team, #41 Estevao. Adrian Dennis/AFP photo
Nothing has changed about Arsenal’s leadership and potential, according to Maresca, whose side will increase Arsenal’s lead at the top to three points with yet another victory at Stamford Bridge.
He continued, “We’ll get to the next one.” Excellent feeling was present. It’s really nice to share this kind of moment with our fans at home. Next 48 hours completely shut down, take a break, and recharge.
The 2030 multi-sport Commonwealth Games will be held in Ahmedabad, according to a Wednesday agreement.
Following a recommendation from the executive board, the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow approved the choice of Ahmedabad, also known as Amdavad.
The Commonwealth Games Association of India’s president, Dr. PT Usha, praised the trust shown by Commonwealth Sport.
The 2030 Games “will not only reaffirm the Commonwealth movement’s 100th anniversary but also lay the foundation for the coming century. In a spirit of friendship and advancement, it will bring together Commonwealth athletes, communities, and cultures from different countries.
The state of Gujarat, which has a 130, 000-seater arena, which is the largest cricket stadium in the world, is known as Ahmedabad. The venue’s name comes from the Indian premier.
Read more about India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and defeats Nigeria’s bid.
India, which signed a formal letter of intent to host the 2036 Summer Olympics last year, has a bigger prize in its sights.
After the Australian state of Victoria withdrew for financial reasons, the movement struggled to find a replacement host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow, a Scottish city, joined the multi-sports scene and will present a pared-down version, ensuring that Britain will have hosted two editions in a row after Birmingham in 2022.
There have long been questions about the relevance of the Commonwealth Games, an international organization where the majority of the competing nations were once British Empire-held territories, in an era of increasing continental and world championships across a number of sports.
However, Dr. Donald Rukare, president of Commonwealth Sport, stated on Wednesday: “India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance, and I’m delighted to report strong interest from a range of nations to host the 2034 Games and beyond.
We kick off the Commonwealth Games in good health and good health.
The 1930 inaugural event in Hamilton, Canada, will be commemorated at the 2030 Games.
As the torch relay departed from the storied Olympia in Greece on Wednesday, New International Olympic Committee Chairman Kirsty Coventry cried out in support of the 2026 Winter Games.
A tearful Coventry, who was the first woman to lead the Olympic movement and spoke to guests at the torch ceremony at the Olympia archaeological museum, emphasized the unity of sport.
She said, “These Games come at a crucial time in our history,” her voice sputtering.
She continued to applause, saying, “I wasn’t supposed to get emotional.”
The Games have a truly symbolic place in the divided world we live in today. She said that it is our duty and responsibility to ensure that athletes from all over the world can congregate peacefully.
The relay, which was first led by Greek rower Petros Gaidatzis and later joined by cross-country ski champion Stefania Belmondo from Italy, set off the epaulina winter games, which will begin on February 6.
The pair transferred the torch to Italian luge great Armin Zoeggeler as they flew from the museum to Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Games, where Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s headquarters are preserved.
As part of an emergency rehearsal of the Olympic flame’s lighting in the ancient Olympiadrome, which was the site of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece, on November 24, 2025, Greek actress Mary Mina lights the Olympic Flame from a solar mirror in the role of High Priestess. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS/AFP)
The Temple of Zeus, the goddess of the ancient Olympics, had sculptures atop the flame ceremony.
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The Olympic flame-lighting ceremony is typically held close to the Olympic Stadium, which was built in 776 BC, among the remains of the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera.
As part of an emergency rehearsal for the lighting of the Olympic flame for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games ceremony, which will take place on November 24, 2025, at the site of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece, Greek actress Mary Mina holds a torch with the Olympic flame in the role of High Priestess. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS/AFP)
However, a misinterpreted forecast for the rainy weather caused questions to be raised about the parabolic mirror used by actresses dressed as ancient priestesses as a source of heat.
During an outdoor rehearsal in the sun on Wednesday, the ceremony took place inside, where a flame was lit on Monday.
The flame will travel to Rome for a 63-day, 12, 000-kilometer (7, 500-mile) course through Italy’s major cities and the archaeological site of Pompeii following a handover ceremony on December 4 at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, where the first modern Olympics were revived in 1896.
TOPSHOT – Greek actress Mary Mina poses for a photo in the middle of an emergency rehearsal for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games ceremony in the ancient Olympiadrome, which was the site of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece, on November 24, 2025. The pot contains the Olympic Flame of the original rehearsal for the lighting of the Olympic flame. Aggelos NAKKAS/AFP photo
The Games will take place at various locations throughout the north-east of Italy, stretching from Milan to the Dolomites Mountains.
Milan will host ice sports, and Bormio and Cortina will host alpine skiing.
The Dolomites will host the biathlon, followed by skiing in the Val di Fiemme and skiing in the Italian Alps in Livigno.
From March 6 through March 15 will the Paralympic Winter Games take place.
After Chelsea’s superstar scored a stunning solo Champions League goal against Barcelona, Enzo Maresca downed comparisons to Lionel Messi on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old Brazilian won their third game of the competition’s five matches against Lamine Yamal, the London club winning with a dominant win over the teenage prodigies.
Ten minutes after half-time, Estevao received the ball on the right before beating two defenders and launching it into Joan Garcia’s net’s roof.
Just months into his debut at Stamford Bridge, the winger scored his 10th goal of the season for the club and country.
Jules Kounde’s own goal and substitute Liam Delap’s late strike gave Chelsea the lead.
Estevao captivates Chelsea’s 10-Man Barcelona Fold with his stunning performance.
Late in the second half, when captain Ronald Araujo was shown a second yellow card, the Spanish side was reduced to 10 men.
When asked if Estevao’s strike resembled Messi’s of the Argentine great, Chelsea boss Maresca responded that it was a strike that the forward had scored for Palmeiras before the Club World Cup in July.
Maresca tried to relieve his young player’s workload, and he quickly became a favorite among fans, claiming he needed to “relax” and enjoy his game.
If you start talking about Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, you might as well say, “Him, Lamine, they are so young, at age 18, and I think it’s too much pressure for young boys to like them.”
Eighteen, they must enjoy and be content when they arrive at the training facility. But I believe it’s too much for them when you start to compare them to Messi or Ronaldo.
Estevao praised the “best moment” of his career thus far, calling it “the best moment” of his career on Tuesday as he was serenaded by Chelsea’s supporters.
He told Amazon Prime, “I don’t really have any words to sum up how I’m feeling right now.” The night was truly perfect. I’m just thankful for everything that has happened to me, God.
He continued, “I felt such a connection with the fans from the moment I arrived here.”
“I’m just so happy that I can win their hearts and make them happy,” she said. I want to keep them content and help them get more goals.
Despite his incredible form, Maresca claimed that playing Estevao would not put him under additional pressure.
He said, “Tonight, we decided to play with Estevao,” which is probably the most challenging game of the season.
“I don’t allow players to play minutes because I’m not a manager,” he said. The game plan alone determines the first eleven, not the last eleven.
In the opening game of Day 1, COAS Shooters earned a stunning 26-26 draw against defending men’s champions Tojemarine Handball Club in the headline match of Day 1. The 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League Phase 2 kicked off spectacularly on Tuesday at the Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba, Lagos.
In a tense, end-to-end battle that kept fans on their toes, Tojemarine, the champions of last season, were forced to dig deep against second-placed COAS Shooters in an intense, end-to-end encounter that lived up to expectations.
Safety Shooters, the league’s leaders, won the match 25-15 over Osun United in other men’s matches, continuing their impressive run.
Niger United recovered from a slow start to defeat Lagos Seasiders 28-21 while Rima Strikers defeated Benue Buffaloes 36-16. De Defenders’ 34–27 victory over Correction Boys was another impressive performance.
Safety Babes, the reigning champions in the women’s division, led the way with a dominant 40-27 victory over Rivers Queens to begin their quest for a fifth straight league title.
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In a tense thriller, Imo Grasshoppers defeated Rima Queens 28-27, while Omo Ogiefo Academy won the game’s surprise with a 26-24 victory over Plateau Peacocks. Defender Babes defeated Ekiti Queens 35-26 to win the game.
Ardova Handball Premier League 2025 Results for Day 1 (Men)
Safety Shooters from Osun United 25 to 15 Rima Strikers 16-36 by Benue Buffaloes Niger United 21-28 Seasiders De Defenders 34-27 Correction Boys Tojemarine Shooters 26-26 COAS
With a stunning solo Champions League goal against Lamine Yamal, Chelsea defeated 10-man Barcelona 3-0 on Tuesday in a close encounter with Estevao.
In the run-up to the game at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca urged his players to ignore the comparisons, with the two 18-year-olds receiving the most attention.
Ten minutes after half-time, Estevao received the ball on the right before beating two defenders and launching it into Joan Garcia’s net’s roof.
Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder #41 Estevao (R) celebrates with Chelsea’s English defender #24 Reece James (L) after scoring their second goal in the league-phase football match between Chelsea and Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in London on November 25, 2025. Adrian Dennis/AFP photo
In his first season at Chelsea, the winger scored 10 goals overall for both clubs and communities.
In the 73rd minute, substitute Liam Delap sidefooted home from close range to put Barcelona, who were already 1-0 up and down to 10 men, on top of the standings.
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Delap’s goal was initially for offside, but VAR overruled the on-field officials.
Chelsea, a two-time European champion, were just rewarded for their superiority from the beginning against a pitiful Barcelona side.
The action had already slowed down.
Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder #41 Estevao (R) and Barcelona’s #24 Eric Garcia (L) square off against one another in the UEFA Champions League game between Chelsea and Barcelona on November 25, 2025 at Stamford Bridge in London. Adrian Dennis/AFP photo
In the fourth minute, Enzo Fernandez bundled the ball into the net only to have Wesley Fofana’s handball cause the goal to be ruled out.
When Robert Sanchez was the only one to beat, Ferran Torres skewed wide to the left and scored in the opposite direction two minutes later, it appeared certain to score at the other end.
Upped the tempo
Then the pace was raised once more before Chelsea resumed play.
Fernandez once more had the ball in the net, but this time it was for offside, and Pedro Neto blazed over the bar just as the ball was being blocked.
However, following a short-corner routine, the home side’s pressure finally paid off in the 27th minute.
Barcelona eventually broke up the game, with Jules Kounde sending the ball home for an own goal as Barcelona eventually fought back.
Chelsea’s #41 Estevao, a Brazilian midfielder, scores their second goal in the UEFA Champions League’s first game of the season against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in London on November 25, 2025. Adrian Dennis/AFP photo
Ronald Araujo, the Barcelona captain, was sent off for a second time just before half-time for a poor challenge on Marc Cucurella.
While Barcelona, a five-time champions league champion, provided little in the second half despite Chelsea’s continued intensity and were well rewarded with the goals from Estevao and Delap.
After Estevao scored late in the game, the Stamford Bridge fans mocked the ineffective Yamal and made fun of him.
After two years away, Maresca’s men, who are now back in the Champions League, have now won three of their first five games to give themselves a fighting chance to finish in the top eight.
That would automatically grant the last 16 automatic qualification.
The Premier League side is also gaining steam ahead of Sunday’s home game against leaders Arsenal, which is second.
