Chelsea edged past Pafos FC with a narrow but valuable home victory in the UEFA Champions League, as new head coach Liam Rosenior celebrated a winning start to his managerial journey in Europe’s elite competition.

It was far from a straightforward night at Stamford Bridge. The Cypriot visitors impressed with their defensive discipline, frustrating the hosts for long periods and limiting clear-cut chances. In the first half, Pafos goalkeeper Jay Gorter produced three outstanding saves, repeatedly denying Chelsea and keeping his side firmly in contention.

The Blues dominated possession and territory but struggled to break down a well-organised back line, with patience increasingly tested as the match wore on. The tension inside the stadium only grew as the clock ticked down.

Eventually, the breakthrough arrived late in the game. In the 77th minute, a well-worked corner caused havoc in the penalty area, and Moises Caicedo reacted quickest to fire home a decisive finish, leaving Gorter with no chance and sparking visible relief among the home supporters.

The win lifts Chelsea up to eighth place in the Champions League standings, keeping them firmly in the race for automatic qualification to the knockout stages.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League

Chelsea - Pafos FC 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Caicedo M., 78 (1:0)

Chelsea: Jörgensen F. (Sanchez Ro., 46); Badiashile B.; Hato (Cucurella, 70); James R. (Estêvão, 46); Gusto; Fofana W.; Fernandez E.; Caicedo M.; Garnacho (Bynoe-Gittens, 70); Pedro Neto; Delap (João Pedro, 70)
Substitution: Sanchez Ro. (from 46); Estêvão (from 46); Cucurella (from 70); Bynoe-Gittens (from 70); João Pedro (from 70)
Bench: Chalobah; Acheampong J. K.; Andrey Santos; Walsh R.; George; Guiu Marc
Yellow Cards: Bynoe-Gittens 73; Fernandez E. 86

Pafos FC: Gorter J.; Pileas; Luckassen D.; Šunjić I.; Sema (Langa, 83); Dragomir; Pêpê R.; Jaja (Quina, 65); Bruno F.; Oršić (Bassouamina, 83); Anderson Silva (Dimata, 65)
Substitution: Quina (from 65); Dimata (from 65); Langa (from 83); Bassouamina (from 83)
Bench: Petrou P.; Neofytos; David Luiz; David
Yellow Cards: Oršić 33; Sema 56; Šunjić I. 78