Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea - UEFA Champions League result as Alejandro Garnacho salvages point for Enzo Maresca's side in Baku

Champions League / League Phase

Tofiq Bahramov Stadium / 05.11.2025

Qarabag FK

Finished

Chelsea

L. Andrade(29')
M. Jankovic(39' PEN)

Estêvão(16')
A. Garnacho(53')

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Highlights

GARNACHO RESCUES POINT FOR CHELSEA AS ENZO MARESCA'S DROP POINTS IN BAKU

Alejandro Garnacho’s second-half strike rescued a point for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea as they came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Qarabag FK in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Garnacho was on the pitch for just seven minutes when he ended his European goal drought to put Chelsea level, as he charged from the halfway line into the box, before seeing his stray pass deflected into his path to set him up for an important strike.

Enzo Maresca made seven changes from the side which beat Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, opting for a youthful line-up, including the inclusion of Estevao.

And it was the 18-year-old Brazilian who put Chelsea ahead inside 16 minutes, when he chopped the ball onto his left boot before firing his effort into the bottom-right corner to claim his second goal of the competition.

Highlights: Chelsea survive scare in Azerbaijan thanks to Garnacho magic

Video credit: TNT Sports

The away side would be pegged back just before the half-hour mark, with Camilo Duran managing to fight off Jorrel Hato before seeing his shot rattle the upright, and Leandro Andrade firing home the rebound.

The tide would quickly change as Chelsea found themselves on the back foot when referee Sebastian Gishamer pointed to the penalty spot just before half-time for a handball in the box by Hato.

The resulting spot-kick was taken by Marko Jankovic, and he fired his effort into the bottom-left corner to make sure his side was heading into the break ahead.

A triple change at half-time by Maresca saw Garnacho, Enzo Fernandez and Liam Delap brought on to add experience to the attacking line, with Garnacho needing just seven minutes to make an impact and put his side level when he was given a second bite of the cherry when his mislaid pass was deflected back into his path for him to fire home.

Despite efforts to find the winner from both sides, Chelsea struggled to find the decisive goal to kill off the game and were forced to settle for a point.

Next up, Enzo Maresca’s men host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, November 8, as they look to continue to add pressure on the top four.

JOE COLE: IT'S A POINT ON THE BOARD

It's a point on the board. Given how they started it's positive. The performance in the first half wasn't acceptable standards for a side that have designs on winning this. But the whole team looked more structured and positive [in the second half]. I thought Estevao was bright. But there's still question marks, and I think it comes down to mindset. If you start the game on the front foot and apply yourself right you can win this game comfortably. If this was a Liverpool or Real Madrid, they come here and get three points. That's the next lesson for this team.

CHELSEA HOPES OF TOP EIGHT SUFFER BLOW AS THEY SETTLE FOR POINT

A closer affair than many might have guessed as Enzo Maresca's youthful side was tested by an energised home side, who have already picked up two wins in the league phase.

Enzo Maresca made seven changes to the side which beat Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend with the likes of Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Tyrique George in attack and Jorrel Hato accompanying Tosin Adarabioyo in defence.

It was a costly lesson for Maresca's men as Hato suffered the brunt of the blame for Qarabag's goals but the Chelsea boss decided to stick to his guns as he continued to keep his backline intact in the second half - to which he was duly rewarded by a more stable second-half display.

Three changes at half-time indicated a team needing experience, as Alejandro Garnacho, Enzo Fernandez and Liam Delap all came onto to spur Chelsea back into life - though could only leave fans wanting more as the points were shared in Baku.

Image credit: Getty Images

FULL-TIME! QARABAG 2-2 CHELSEA

A thrilling game ends in a draw as Chelsea struggle to kill off the game despite taking the lead through Estevao in the first half.

Leandro Andrade levelled things in the 29th minute before Marko Jankovic slotted home from the spot to give the hosts the lead.

Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench at half-time to level things again for Chelsea but Enzo Maresca's men were forced to settle for the point.

Image credit: Getty Images

90+3'

OH MY...

That was a BIG let off for Chelsea as Kashchuk's quick flick of the ball from Akhundzada's cross forces Robert Sanchez to be alert.

Just seconds later, the Qarabag goalkeeper has to make an excellent save to get low to deny Garnacho a second and force the corner.

90+1'

FIVE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME

As Caicedo is the next player to be booked for a foul on Akhundzada.

88'

SO NEARLY FOR CHELSEA...

Estevao once again makes it happen for Chelsea as he finds Enzo Fernandez in the box, but his shot takes a touch from Liam Delap and goes out of play.

88'

BOOKING FOR QARABAG

Kevin Medina goes into the referee's book - although I'm not quite sure what it was for. Presumably dissent.

86'

ANOTHER CHANCE FOR CHELSEA

This time it's the substitute Facundo Buonanotte who decides to take aim and unleashes an effort from outside of the box, which goes wide of the target.

83'

IMPORTANT CLAIM BY SANCHEZ

It's end to end, with the next goal coming from either side.

Estevao sees his effort go high of the crossbar, whilst Caicedo has to do well to deny Qarabag a chance at the other end.

Qarabag win a corner but Robert Sanchez does his job and claims with ease.

81'

CHELSEA TURNING UP THE GEARS

It's all Chelsea at the moment as they hunt for a third goal to retake the lead.

Enzo Fernandez is unable to keep his effort on target in the next chance for the away side.

78'

BRILLIANT FROM ESTEVAO

Another glimpse from the 18-year-old as he reaches the byline and finds Enzo Fernandez, whose shot takes a deflection to win a corner.

The resulting corner gives Garnacho an opportunity to double his tally for the match, but he's unable to get this one near the target.

75'

DOUBLE CHANGE FOR QARABAG

Another roll of the dice from the Qarabag boss, as he opts to bring on some fresh legs to see this game out.

On: Dani Bolt, Oleksii Kashchuk

Off: Zoubir, Cafarquliyev

71'

CHANGE FOR CHELSEA

There's another change for Chelsea as Facundo Buonanotte replaces Joao Pedro.

69'

ENCOURAGING SIGNS FROM DELAP

It's lovely stuff by Liam Delap as Reece James' ball cuts through Qarabag's defence and Delap runs into the box, seeing his low effort go wide of the post.

66'

WATCH: GARNACHO ENDS EUROPEAN GOAL DROUGHT WITH 'IMPORTANT, BRILLIANT' STRIKE

Super sub moment for Garnacho to put Chelsea level with a solo effort from the halfway line.

Garnacho ends European goal drought with 'important, brilliant' strike

Video credit: TNT Sports

64'

AKHUNDZADA GOES NARROWLY WIDE

Akhundzaka attempts to replicate the impact Garnacho had coming on as a substitute as he takes sight of goal and fires his effort just wide of the post.

62'

DOUBLE CHANGE FOR QARABAG

Leandro Andrade and Camilo Duran are replaced by Nariman Akhundzade and Toral Bayramov.

58'

DELAP FLAGGED OFFSIDE

Joao Pedro threads through Liam Delap, who fires his effort straight at the Qarabag goalkeeper.

He's later correctly flagged for offside.

56'

TNT SPORTS CO-COMMENTATOR STEVE SIDWELL ON GARNACHO GOAL:

He makes amends after the first pass. It's a sloppy first pass. You can see his intention. He gets another bite of the cherry and doesn't he take it. Superb from Garnacho. This is what Chelsea fans want to see from him, making an impact in the final third. He's certainly got the quality. It's a super strike. Chelsea fans are crying out to see the real Garnacho because he has got some talent. We've seen it there, and we need to see it more in a Chelsea shirt. When he's in form he's one of the best in Europe, that's for sure.

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