Chelsea produced another breathtaking performance to destroy Djurgårdens IF 8–0 at Drogba Arena, a result that confirmed their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. The Blues’ dominance was absolute, showcasing their attacking power and tactical control throughout.
Ruthless from the Start
Mario Cardozo opened the scoring after just two minutes, firing home following an error from Daniel Larsson. Netanel Sahar doubled the lead three minutes later with a composed finish, and Júnior made it three shortly afterward with a close-range volley. Gérson added a fourth on 15 minutes as Chelsea’s attacking waves overwhelmed their Swedish visitors.
José Franco then powered in a header to make it 5–0 before the interval, while defender Martins Civzelis nodded home a sixth goal. Gérson’s second, a rifled strike into the corner on 61 minutes, and Kieran O’Sullivan’s well-taken penalty in the 68th rounded off a stunning 8–0 rout.
Sahar the Star
Netanel Sahar claimed Player of the Match honours after another influential display. The Israeli striker scored once, created three assists, won five aerial duels, and completed 12 key passes — an all-around performance that underlined his growing stature at the club.
Melia Makes His Mark
There was also a memorable moment for 16-year-old goalkeeper Eddie Melia, who came on in the 79th minute to make his senior debut and kept a clean sheet. The young shot-stopper, dubbed the next Shay Given, was warmly received by the Drogba Arena crowd as he entered the pitch.
Chelsea Cruise into the Round of 16
The win sealed Chelsea’s progression to the knockout rounds with a game to spare. Their campaign so far has included an emphatic 10–0 dismantling of AC Milan and dominant victories over Real Madrid, PSV, and Inter. With a maximum bonus pot of £1.6M per player on offer for winning the competition, motivation within the squad is sky-high.
With performances of this calibre, Chelsea have once again made a statement to Europe — they are not just contenders, they are the benchmark.