Argentine substitute Alejandro Garnacho salvaged a point for Chelsea, scoring a second-half equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw against spirited Azerbaijani side Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Enzo Maresca’s heavily rotated side were in danger of suffering a humiliating defeat at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in Baku after they surrendered an early lead and went into the break trailing.
Despite the draw, both teams now have seven points from their first four league phase matches, keeping them firmly in contention for the top-eight finish that secures automatic qualification for the last 16.
Chelsea Stunned by Comeback
Chelsea, who have spent an estimated 1.5$ billion ($1.9 billion) on new signings over the last three seasons, took a deserved early lead through 18-year-old Brazilian forward Estevao Willian in the 16th minute.
Estevao, who became the third-youngest player in Champions League history to score in his first two starts, drove a low shot past Qarabag keeper Mateusz Kochalski.
However, the hosts staged a stunning comeback, capitalising on sloppy Chelsea defending. Leandro Andrade levelled the score in the 29th minute after Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato lost possession.
Qarabag then went ahead just before half-time when Marko Jankovic converted a penalty, awarded after Hato conceded a handball in the box, leaving the two-time European champions in disarray at the interval.
Garnacho Changes the Momentum
Maresca introduced three substitutes for the second half, including Garnacho and Enzo Fernandez, and the changes paid dividends almost immediately.
In the 51st minute, former Manchester United winger Garnacho lashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area for his second goal since joining the Blues, pulling the score back to 2-2.
Despite the massive financial disparity—Qarabag’s total transfer outlay since 2020 is reportedly less than $\text{\textsterling}7$ million—the Azerbaijani side proved tough to subdue. Qarabag have been a surprise package this season, having staged a superb comeback to beat Benfica and overcome Copenhagen.
Chelsea pushed for a winner in the dying minutes, but Mateusz Kochalski repeatedly denied the visitors, ensuring Chelsea remained without a Champions League away win since October 2022.
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