Chelsea secured their ticket to the Champions League Round of 16 in dramatic fashion, coming from behind to beat Napoli 3-2. A stunning second-half brace from João Pedro silenced the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium and ended Napoli’s European dreams.
It was a night of high tension in Italy. The Blues entered the final league phase match needing a win to avoid the playoff lottery, while Napoli fought for their survival. In the end, Chelsea’s resilience and tactical depth proved too much for the Serie A side.
First Half Rollercoaster
The match started perfectly for the Londoners when Enzo Fernández coolly converted a penalty to give Chelsea an early lead. However, the atmosphere in Naples spurred a fierce reaction. Antonio Vergara equalized for the hosts before Rasmus Højlund completed the turnaround, sending Napoli into the break with a -1 lead and Chelsea’s qualification in doubt.
The João Pedro Show
Whatever was said in the Chelsea dressing room worked. In the 61st minute, João Pedro leveled the score with a clinical finish after a period of intense pressure.
As the clock ticked down, the decisive moment arrived. Super-sub Cole Palmer injected life into the attack, providing the assist for João Pedro to strike again in the dying minutes. The 3-2 victory not only confirmed Chelsea’s comeback but also resulted in Napoli’s elimination from the competition.
Massive win for Chelsea in Naples 💙#UCL pic.twitter.com/Nu0wgp8Z15
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 28, 2026
No Rest for the Blues: Domestic Challenges Ahead
With direct qualification secured, Enzo Maresca’s side can now shift their focus to a packed domestic schedule.
- Jan 31: West Ham (Premier League – Stamford Bridge)
- Feb 3: Arsenal (Carabao Cup – Away)
- Feb 7: Wolverhampton (Premier League – Away)
The Blues face a grueling February, including an FA Cup tie against Hull City and further league matches against Leeds and Burnley. Chelsea remains active on all fronts as they chase multiple trophies in 2026.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
