Napoli crashed out of the Champions League as Joao Pedro inspired Chelsea to a 3-2 comeback victory at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
2025/2026 UEFA Champions League
2-3
Match Report
Joao Pedro scored two stunning goals in the second half on Wednesday as the Blues sealed their spot in the last 16.
Chelsea went ahead through Enzo Fernandez's 19th-minute penalty, awarded for a handball by Juan Jesus as he attempted to block Reece James' free-kick.
Yet the injury-ravaged Italian champions flipped the script when Antonio Vergara brilliantly spun clear of two defenders and arrowed a low finish beyond Robert Sanchez, before Rasmus Hojlund put Antonio Conte's team ahead heading into half-time.
Joao Pedro stole the show from there, though. In the 61st minute, the Brazilian sent a thunderous long-range effort soaring into the top-right corner.
And Chelsea's star performer completed the turnaround with eight minutes of normal time remaining, capping a fine run with a crisp finish to ensure the Blues avoid the play-offs, though Sanchez had to deny Romelu Lukaku an equaliser against his former club in stoppage time.
Data Debrief: Joao wows
Joao Pedro has now scored in three of his last four games for Chelsea in all competitions, netting in consecutive Champions League away matches.
The former Brighton attacker led the game for shots (four), shots on target (two) and expected goals (0.88).
Liam Rosenior's team matched Napoli for shots on target (five) and put up 2.01 xG to their hosts' 0.98.
Conte has only won one of his six games against Chelsea since he left his post there, while this marked just Napoli's second home Champions League defeat in the space of 21 matches.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
1' Jesus fouls Di Lorenzo during an attacking move
6' Neto sends the ball beyond the defence but McTominay clears to safety
12' Andrey Santos heads a precise cross towards the net but his effort is saved
17' Antonio Vergara is penalised for a foul as he tackles down Joao Pedro
19' GOAL! Enzo makes no mistake and scores the penalty! Napoli 0-1 Chelsea
24' Olivera strikes from a close range but it is blocked by Reece James
28' Joao Pedro gets to the rebound but sends his effort well wide
34' GOAL! Vergara equalizes for the hosts! Napoli 1-1 Chelsea
40' Vergara receives a precise pass but his shot flies well wide of the post
43' GOAL! Højlund rifles a shot into the left side of the net! Napoli 2-1 Chelsea
46' Neto is replaced by Palmer
58' Chalobah and Gittens replace Gusto and Andrey Santos
62' What a stunner! Joao Pedro smashes the ball into the net! Napoli 2-2 Chelsea
68' Enzo takes a mid-range shot, but it lacks accuracy and it goes way over the bar
75' Alejandro Garnacho has replaced Estêvão
82' Napoli 2-3 Chelsea! João Pedro nets, with this score Napoli will be eliminanted!
Line-ups
Napoli XI: Juan, Spinazzola, Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, Meret, M.Olivera, Elmas, Buongiorno, McTominay, Højlund, Antonio Vergara
Subs: Lukaku, Nikita Contini, Sam Beukema, Miguel Gutiérrez, Emmanuele De Chiara, Christian Garofalo, David Spinelli
Chelsea XI: Cucurella, Reece James, Robert Sánchez, Pedro Neto, Wesley Fofana, João Pedro, Enzo, Caicedo, Gusto, Andrey Santos, Estêvão
Subs: Trevoh Chalobah, Badiashile, Cole Palmer, Jørgensen, Garnacho, Liam Delap, Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George, Max Merrick, Guiu