UCL: Joao Pedro double sends Chelsea through, Napoli out
Chelsea secured a top-eight finish in the Champions League as Joao Pedro scored twice in the second half to overturn Napoli and seal direct qualification for the last 16, ending the Italian side’s European campaign.
Napoli rally after Chelsea opener
Chelsea started on the front foot and were rewarded in the 18th minute when Reece James’ free-kick struck the arm of Juan Jesus inside the area.
Enzo Fernandez stepped up and drove the resulting penalty into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead.
Napoli responded with greater intensity. Efforts from Mathias Olivera and Giovanni di Lorenzo were blocked or saved before the hosts found an equaliser.
Antonio Vergara scored his first goal for the club in the 33rd minute, breaking away from midfield, evading Moises Caicedo and Wesley Fofana, then finishing calmly past Robert Sanchez.
The turnaround was completed shortly before half-time. Rasmus Hojlund, on loan from Manchester United, met Olivera’s low cross and guided a first-time finish beyond Sanchez to put Napoli 2-1 ahead at the break.
Palmer impact sparks Chelsea comeback
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca introduced Cole Palmer at half-time following his recovery from a thigh injury, and the substitute changed the tempo of the contest.
Palmer played a key role in the equaliser on 61 minutes, finding Joao Pedro on the edge of the area. The Brazilian shrugged off a challenge and fired a powerful strike into the net to restore parity.
With Napoli pushing forward in search of a decisive goal, Chelsea found space on the counter-attack.
Palmer again provided the assist in the 82nd minute, releasing Joao Pedro, who showed composure to slot his shot under goalkeeper Alex Meret for the winner.
Napoli pressed late on, and substitute Romelu Lukaku went close against his former club in added time, but Sanchez saved comfortably to preserve Chelsea’s advantage.
The result secured Chelsea a place in the Champions League last 16 without the need for a February play-off, while Napoli’s defeat confirmed their elimination from European competition.
