1. 32′ – Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (Moisés Caicedo): The Blues took the lead with a moment of brilliance from midfield maestro Caicedo. Pouncing on a loose ball after outrunning Alexis Mac Allister, the Ecuadorian unleashed a 22-yard screamer into the top corner with his right foot, leaving Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili rooted to the spot. Stamford Bridge erupted as Chelsea’s high-pressing game plan paid dividends early on.
2. 68′ – Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool (Cody Gakpo): Just when Chelsea looked in cruise control, Liverpool clawed their way back. Gakpo, the Dutch forward, latched onto a clever through-ball from Dominik Szoboszlai and slotted home past Robert Sánchez to level the scores. It was a lifeline for the visitors, who had been second-best for much of the first half but grew into the game after the break.
3. 90+5′ – Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (Estêvão Willian): The defining moment came deep into added time. Enzo Fernández, pulling the strings from midfield, slipped a precise pass to Marc Cucurella on the left flank. The Spanish full-back whipped in a low, teasing cross across the six-yard box, evading the despairing dive of Andrew Robertson. Estêvão, timing his run to perfection, slid in at the back post to divert the ball home for a debut goal that will live long in Chelsea folklore. Manager Enzo Maresca sprinted the length of the touchline in celebration, earning a second yellow card and a trip to the stands.

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has been ruled out for three months after sustaining a left thigh injury to his rectus femoris muscle, as announced by the club on September 12, 2025.

The setback comes at a pivotal time, with the team facing crucial La Liga derbies against Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, plus Champions League clashes with Juventus and Liverpool.

Manager Xavi Alonso will turn to options like Éder Militão and Aurélien Tchouaméni to shore up the defense, while Rüdiger’s absence also disrupts Germany’s World Cup qualifiers.