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By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Chelsea moved one step closer to advancing in the UEFA Champions League group stage following a 1-0 win against Pafos on Wednesday evening, in a match marked by constant pressure, missed opportunities, and crucial goalkeeping.

In the Round 7 match, Chelsea controlled possession and territory for extended periods but had difficulty turning that advantage into goals, as Pafos’ goalkeeper Jay Gorter made a series of remarkable saves to maintain the scoreline even in the later stages of the second half.

Chelsea believed they had gone ahead in the 18th minute via Enzo Fernandez, but VAR overturned the decision due to a violation during the buildup.

Unfazed, the local team kept applying the pressure, generating multiple promising opportunities via Fernandez, Pedro Neto, and Alejandro Garnacho, all of whom were thwarted by desperate last-minute defense or Gorter’s quick reactions.

The key moment came in the 78th minute as Moises Caicedo was the first to react to a loose ball within the penalty area, heading it into the left post to grant Chelsea a well-earned advantage.

Pafos, under the guidance of Albert Celades, posed a late threat and almost tied the game in stoppage time as Landry Dimata shot towards goal, but Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made an outstanding save to maintain the clean sheet.