Rooney Praises Cucurella’s Performance Against Barcelona’s Yamal
Wayne Rooney commended Marc Cucurella for his exceptional performance during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League. Held at Stamford Bridge on November 26, 2025, the match showcased Cucurella’s defensive prowess against Barcelona’s talented youngster, Lamine Yamal.
Rooney Praises Cucurella Against Yamal
Cucurella playfully suggested that teammate Estêvão train with shin pads before the match, anticipating the challenge Yamal would pose. His approach proved effective as he successfully kept the 18-year-old winger in check throughout the game, demonstrating remarkable discipline without resorting to reckless tackles.
“Cucurella’s given the best training lesson you could have for dealing with Lamine Yamal,” Rooney stated during his commentary on Amazon Prime. He continued, “Cucurella was absolutely incredible, probably the best performance I’ve seen from a left-back for a long, long time. He’s a serious player.”
Match Highlights
Chelsea took an early lead in the 27th minute due to an own goal by Joules Koundé. The match took a drastic turn just before half-time when Ronald Araújo received a second yellow card, leaving Barcelona with 10 men. Chelsea extended their advantage shortly after the break with a stunning goal from Estêvão. Liam Delap later sealed the victory with a goal in the 73rd minute.
- Final Score: Chelsea 3 – 0 Barcelona
- Goals:
- Joules Koundé (own goal – 27th minute)
- Estêvão (10 minutes after half-time)
- Liam Delap (73rd minute)
The match’s buildup highlighted the duel between Estêvão and Yamal, both rising stars in football. Estêvão emerged victorious with Cucurella’s significant contribution in protecting Chelsea’s defensive line.
Chelsea’s Current Standing
With this win, Chelsea climbed to fifth place in the Champions League standings. Conversely, Barcelona struggled and slipped to 15th place. Chelsea has recorded three victories and one draw since their lone defeat to Bayern Munich earlier in the tournament.
