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Each move Lamine Yamal executes oozes quality. At times when he is moving about seeming dejected, which he showed often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant style of a superstar. He softly controls the ball rather than striking it, generating extraordinary power from minimal back-lift. He plays on the balls of his feet, always vigilant, always able to go either way. He moves smoothly rather than sprints, but does so at velocity. He has already placed as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the top 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Rising Prospect Estêvão Makes His Impact

In Estevao, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could turn out as one of the very best. He has been creating more and more of an impression since scoring the late winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have produced four goals, and he also struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may finally have found the player they desperately wanted to have identified in Neymar.

Estêvão spectacular goal brightens Chelsea’s dominant win over 10-man Barcelona

Estevao's goal, converted after 55 minutes to definitively seal a win that hadn’t fully been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was sent off just before half-time, was a masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea regaining the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian scurrying at terrifying speed, dummying left and right, shaking off markers and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Duel and Physical Superiority

The taunt of “You’re just a poor Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, but there was no disputing which of the two had prevailed.

Estevao is 80 days older and has played 22 games fewer but at the moment he looks a more robust player – and frequent Premier League experience is only expected to enhance that.

It’s been a trait of the Champions League this season just how much of a physical edge Premier League teams have over their European rivals. Liverpool have had issues physically in the Premier League this season but outpowered Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao basically by having some larger blokes to go for balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some uneasy moments in the opening quarter, by the midway point of the first half had taken control on Barcelona. The tactic of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was emphatically vindicated.

Dead-Ball Expertise and Defensive Strength

The first goal had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no great surprise it came from a set play, an area of the game in which it feels like Premier League clubs are competing with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using ordinary items. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to enhance it with a short pass in a narrow space and a backheel nutmeg. However elaborate the finish, though, the cause was a slick interchange from a corner that generated space for Marc Cucurella to cross for Enzo Fernández.

But the superiority doesn’t just appear from an attacking point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of Marc Cucurella only infrequently and seemed at times shocked, perhaps even discouraged by a couple of tackles.

That annoyance would have major consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal diving over the defender's leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to Araújo being booked for his protests. When Araújo – continued fuming? Aware of his side’s weaknesses? Beaten? – dived at Cucurella a few minutes later the conclusion was inevitable and virtually resolved the game.

Game Plan Variations and Ending Outcome

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, protected in a deep line and aimed to pinch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to imagine two managers more different in mindset than the Everton boss and the Barcelona coach.

A team arranged to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has no escape when they are diminished to 10. They dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept driving into the space behind the back line, secured a third from a substitute and, if they’d really needed to, could probably have notched a couple more.

It’s only the opening round and things can evolve in the spring as built-up fatigue begins to sap at English sides but the tendency of Premier League dominance through pace and power is evident.

Lamine Yamal was substituted with 10 minutes left, wandering to the bench with a sense of regretful submission, followed by a handful of weak jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the contest was already finished and definitively so. Estêvão, the undeniable victor, left the pitch to a ecstatic ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the victory.