UEFA Champions League League Stage - 7
Chelsea 1 - 0 FT Pafos
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
M. Orsic 33'
HT
46' ↓ F. Jorgensen ↑R. Sanchez
46' ↓ R. James ↑Estevao
K. Sema 56'
↓ Anderson Silva ↑L. Dimata 65'
↓ Jaja ↑D. Quina 65'
70' ↓ L. Delap ↑Joao Pedro
70' ↓ A. Garnacho ↑J. Gittens
70' ↓ J. Hato ↑M. Cucurella
73' J. Gittens
78' M. Caicedo
I. Sunjic 78'
↓ M. Orsic ↑M. Bassouamina 83'
↓ K. Sema ↑B. Langa 83'
86' E. Fernandez
↓ V. Dragomir ↑G. Michael 89'
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Chelsea
Goalkeepers
Filip Jørgensen
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
45
minutes
Defenders
Malo Gusto
PROVOCATEUR
3
fouls won
3
fouls won
4
Duels Won
0
pens won
Wesley Fofana
ARCHITECT
2
key passes
2
key passes
0
assists
91%
pass acc
Benoît Badiashile
MAGNET
113
activity
113
activity
112
passes
1
duels
Jorrel Hato
ARCHITECT
2
key passes
2
key passes
0
assists
50%
pass acc
Midfielders
Reece James
MAGNET
79
activity
79
activity
77
passes
2
duels
Moisés Caicedo
ARCHITECT
3
key passes
3
key passes
0
assists
84%
pass acc
Pedro Neto
DRIBBLER
5
dribbles
5
dribbles
7
attempts
71%
success %
Enzo Fernández
ARCHITECT
3
key passes
3
key passes
0
assists
51%
pass acc
Alejandro Garnacho
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
6
tackles
79%
duel win %
Forwards
Liam Delap
NPC
70
minutes
70
minutes
7%
pass acc
6.2
rating
BENCH
Robert Sánchez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Marc Cucurella
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Josh Acheampong
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Trevoh Chalobah
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Landon Emenalo
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Andrey Santos
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Reggie Walsh
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Estêvão
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jamie Gittens
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
João Pedro
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Tyrique George
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Marc Guiu
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Pafos
Goalkeepers
Jay Gorter
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Derrick Luckassen
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ivan Šunjić
NPC
92
minutes
92
minutes
26%
pass acc
6.7
rating
Kostas Pileas
NPC
92
minutes
92
minutes
33%
pass acc
6.3
rating
Midfielders
Bruno
NPC
92
minutes
92
minutes
13%
pass acc
6.2
rating
Vlad Dragomir
SWEEPER
5
cleanups
5
cleanups
3
interceptions
2
blocks
Pêpê
NPC
92
minutes
92
minutes
33%
pass acc
6.9
rating
Ken Sema
NPC
83
minutes
83
minutes
15%
pass acc
6.3
rating
Forwards
Mislav Oršić
SWEEPER
2
cleanups
2
cleanups
2
interceptions
0
blocks
Jajá
SWEEPER
2
cleanups
2
cleanups
2
interceptions
0
blocks
Anderson Silva
NPC
65
minutes
65
minutes
4%
pass acc
6.5
rating
BENCH
Neofytos Michael
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
Petros Petrou
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
David Luiz
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
David Goldar
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Bruno Langa
CAMEO
9
minutes
9
minutes
5
touches
None
events
Domingos Quina
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
4
tackles
67%
duel win %
Georgios Michael
CAMEO
3
minutes
3
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Pedro Caldieraro
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Landry Dimata
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Mons Bassouamina
CAMEO
9
minutes
9
minutes
2
touches
None
events
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +18
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -10
P: 7 GD: -12
P: 7 GD: -9
P: 7 GD: -11
P: 7 GD: -10
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +18
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -10
P: 7 GD: -12
P: 7 GD: -9
P: 7 GD: -11
P: 7 GD: -10
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Caicedo Breakthrough Ends Cypriot Resistance
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 35/100. A dominant Chelsea side finally punctured a resolute Cypriot defense to secure three vital European points at Stamford Bridge.
The Siege of West London
From the outset, Chelsea asserted a level of control that bordered on total Intensity, pinning the visitors deep within their own half. The tactical layout was clear: a relentless wave of blue shirts circulating the ball with 71% possession, attempting to stretch a compact defensive block. Alejandro Garnacho was a constant menace on the flank, providing the width and directness that forced Pafos to retreat into a survivalist shell. Despite a staggering 14 corners in the match, the breakthrough remained elusive during a first half where the visitors' goalkeeper produced a string of reflex saves. The Balance of the match was heavily skewed toward the hosts, yet the scoreboard remained stubbornly blank as the frustration began to grow among the home support.
The Midfield Engine Ignites
As the clock ticked toward the final quarter, the Stakes of this Champions League encounter became increasingly apparent. Chelsea had launched a barrage of 21 shots, but the lack of a clinical edge threatened to result in a costly stalemate. The turning point arrived in the 78th minute when the pressure finally told. Moisés Caicedo, who had been orchestrating play from the base of the midfield, found a pocket of space to unleash the decisive blow. His goal was the product of sustained territorial dominance, finally rewarding a performance that saw the Blues complete 676 accurate passes. While the Upset Factor loomed large for over an hour, Caicedo’s intervention ensured that the gulf in class was eventually reflected in the scoreline, settling nerves across the stadium.
Defensive Solidity and European Progress
Once the lead was established, the hosts focused on game management to prevent any late drama. Wesley Fofana was instrumental in this regard, maintaining a high line and snuffing out the rare counter-attacking forays from Pafos. The visitors managed only two shots on target throughout the entire match, a testament to the defensive structure marshaled by the Chelsea backline. This 1-0 victory propels the London club into a more comfortable position in the league phase, reinforcing their credentials as serious contenders. For the visitors, it was a night of valiant resistance that ultimately fell short, leaving them near the bottom of the standings. For Chelsea, it was a lesson in patience, proving they have the technical stamina to break down the most organized of low blocks.
Key Questions
What made Moisés Caicedo the Man of the Match?
Caicedo scored the winning goal, maintained an 8.7 rating, and dominated the midfield with three key passes and exceptional distribution.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Chelsea’s Top-Eight Pursuit Meets Pafos’ Survival Instinct
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 32/100. This clash at Stamford Bridge represents a critical junction where Chelsea’s ambitions for direct qualification meet a Pafos side teetering on the edge of elimination.
The Setup
As we enter the penultimate round of the league stage on January 21, 2026, the Stakes could not be clearer. Chelsea currently sits 13th, just three points adrift of the automatic top-eight qualification spots. Their Form has been reliable, especially at home where they maintain a perfect record this campaign. Conversely, Pafos finds themselves in 26th place—perched dangerously outside the top-24 playoff line. For the visitors, anything less than a point in London likely spells the end of their European adventure. The Balance of the match heavily favors the hosts, who possess a depth of Stars that the Cypriot side will struggle to contain.
Key Battle
The tactical narrative centers on the Chelsea midfield unit, led by the creative StarsC. Palmer and M. Caicedo, against the defensive fortification of the visitors. Neofytos Michael has been overworked this season, averaging nearly five saves per game, and he will need to produce a career-best performance to keep Pafos in the contest. Chelsea’s ability to circulate the ball through E. Fernández will likely force the visitors into a deep-block containment strategy for the full 90 minutes.
Our Prediction
The sheer disparity in Form and individual quality suggests a professional, dominant display from the Londoners. Expect Chelsea to monopolize possession, utilizing the width of the pitch to pull the Pafos backline out of position. While the visitors will fight for their survival, the constant pressure should eventually break the resistance. We anticipate a comfortable 3-0 victory for the home side, cementing their push for the top eight while leaving the visitors facing a steep climb to avoid elimination.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Yes, to see if Chelsea can break into the top eight and witness their emerging world-class talents.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 3-0 Chelsea win. They are 81.5% favorites to take all three points.
Where are Chelsea and Pafos in the league table?
Chelsea is 13th with 10 points; Pafos is 26th with 6 points.
What is Chelsea's current form?
Chelsea’s recent record is LWDWW, showing strong momentum heading into this fixture.
Who is the in-form player to watch?
Estêvão is the man in form, with 2 goals in 2 matches and a 7.8 rating.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.