Chelsea beat Champions League minnows Pafos to keep their hopes alive of finishing in the top eight - but it took 77 minutes to break down the Cypriot side through Moises Caicedo's diving header.
2025/2026 UEFA Champions League
1-0
Match Report
The £115m midfielder reacted quickest to Pedro Neto's corner after it flicked off Pafos substitute Nany Dimata, pouncing to head home from close range.
It had threatened to be an embarrassing evening for Chelsea against competition debutants Pafos.
In Liam Rosenior's first Champions League match - and his fourth in charge of Chelsea - his side were left frustrated when Enzo Fernandez thought he had put them in front in the 17th minute, only for his header to be harshly ruled out for a push on Derrick Luckassen.
Yet moments earlier, Pafos had launched an incisive counter‑attack that ended with Jaja hitting the post after the ball deflected off Reece James' hand inside the box, sparking shouts for a penalty.
Just before half-time, Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato failed to beat inspired Pafos goalkeeper Jay Gorter from close range.
Exciting teenage attacker Estevao Willian replaced James at the break, and seven minutes later volleyed a sensational first‑time effort that lifted the crowd before Caicedo eventually found the breakthrough.
Chelsea likely need to beat Napoli away on the final day to finish in the top eight and avoid two play‑off matches in the 36‑team league phase.
Match Events
4' Luckassen fouls Garnacho, referee awards free-kick
9' Enzo header ruled out for pushing foul
16' Enzo slips pass through, James' long-range effort slides just wide
17' Enzo header ruled out for pushing foul
31' Jaja cuts inside and shoots, ball takes deflection off the post
35' Caicedo's powerful strike denied by brilliant save
36' Garnacho delivers cross, Badiashile's header goes just wide
46' Jorgensen and James replaced, Sanchez and Estevao on
47' Caicedo slips through ball, Hato's fierce shot saved by keeper
53' Estevao volleys fiercely, keeper pulls off stunning save
60' Neto cuts inside and fires long-range shot saved by keeper
62' Badiashile slides through pass, Estevao sees shot blocked
67' Garnacho curls shot in box, blocked by Luckassen
Line-ups
Chelsea XI: Reece James, Pedro Neto, Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Jørgensen, Enzo, Caicedo, Gusto, Garnacho, Liam Delap, Jorrel Hato
Subs: Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sánchez, João Pedro, Gittens, Andrey Santos, Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George, Estêvão, Guiu, Landon Emenalo, Reggie Walsh
Pafos FC XI: Mislav Orsic, Ivan Sunjic, Ken Sema, Rodrigues, Derrick Luckassen, Vlad Dragomir, Souza, Anderson Silva, Kostas Pileas, Jay Gorter, Jajá
Subs: Luiz, David Goldar, Dimata, Neofytos Michail, Mons Bassouamina, Quina, Bruno Langa, G. Michael, Petros Petrou, Pedro Henrique Fontoura Caldieraro