Chelsea’s Bold Experiment in Azerbaijan Backfires as Qarabag Snatch a Point
Chelsea endured a frustrating night in Baku as Qarabag produced one of the biggest surprises of Matchday 4 in the UEFA Champions League. The London side, fielding a heavily rotated and experimental lineup, dropped two crucial points in their pursuit of a place in the knockout stages.
The visitors made the perfect start when Estevão struck in the 16th minute to give Chelsea an early lead. But the Azerbaijani champions responded in stunning fashion. Andrade levelled the score after a dazzling run from Duran, and just before half-time, Janković converted a penalty to turn the match on its head — 2–1 to Qarabag.
After the break, manager Enzo Maresca introduced Alejandro Garnacho, and the young Argentine immediately made his mark, firing home in the 53rd minute to restore parity. The closing stages were chaotic and full of drama — Qarabag came agonisingly close to a famous victory, with Ukrainian winger Oleksii Kashchuk nearly finding the winner in the dying moments.
In the end, Chelsea escaped with a 2–2 draw, but the dropped points could prove costly in their Champions League campaign.
2025-26 UEFA Champions League
Qarabag - Chelsea 2:2 (2:1)
Goals: Estêvão, 16 (0:1); Andrade Le., 29 (1:1); Janković M., 39 (penalty) (2:1); Garnacho, 53 (2:2)
Qarabag: Kochalski; Silva M-s; Mustafazada; Medina K.; Janković M.; Andrade Le. (Bayramov T., 61); Kady B. (Addai E., 31); Bicalho; Jafarguliyev (Bolt, 74); Zoubir (Kashchuk, 74); Durán (Akhundzade, 61)
Substitution: Addai E. (from 31); Akhundzade (from 61); Bayramov T. (from 61); Bolt (from 74); Kashchuk (from 74)
Bench: Magomedaliyev; Buntić; Mmaee S.; Huseynov Ab.; Huseynov B.; Kouakou
Yellow Cards: Silva M-s 47; Medina K. 87
Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; Adarabioyo; Hato; James R.; Cucurella; Lavia (Caicedo M., 8); Andrey Santos (Fernandez E., 46); Bynoe-Gittens (Garnacho, 46); George (Delap, 46); Estêvão; João Pedro (Buonanotte, 71)
Substitution: Caicedo M. (from 8); Fernandez E. (from 46); Garnacho (from 46); Delap (from 46); Buonanotte (from 71)
Bench: Jörgensen F.; Merrick; Chalobah; Gusto; Fofana W.; Acheampong J. K.; Guiu Marc
Yellow Cards: Andrey Santos 44; James R. 47; Caicedo M. 91
