Week of the wonderkids: teenagers light up the Champions League

By Martin Graham

Youth stole the spotlight in the Champions League this week as six players under 20 found the net — equalling the record for the highest number of teenage scorers in a single round of the tournament.

While established youngsters like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly continued to impress, a fresh wave of prodigies made their mark and introduced themselves to Europe’s biggest stage.

Chelsea’s young stars take centre stage

Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Ajax turned into a showcase of their academy’s depth and quality. The London club fielded ten players aged 21 or younger and made history by becoming the first side ever to feature three teenage goalscorers in a Champions League match.

Marc Guiu opened the scoring, with the 19-year-old Spaniard showing his predatory instincts inside the box to give the Blues the lead — briefly becoming the club’s youngest scorer in the competition. His milestone lasted only half an hour before Estevao Willian, more than a year younger, calmly converted a penalty.

Already capped nine times for Brazil, Estevao has been widely praised for his composure and flair, with Wayne Rooney recently calling him a “special talent.” Fellow teenager Jorrel Hato, who also started against Ajax, said the only player who reminds him of Estevao’s ability is Barcelona’s Yamal.

Tyrique George capped off the rout with Chelsea’s fifth goal, continuing his rise after playing a major role in last season’s Europa Conference League triumph. Meanwhile, Reggie Walsh — a deep-lying midfielder who turned 17 earlier in the week — became the youngest player in the club’s history to appear in Europe’s premier competition. Jamie Gittens, 21, also set a new benchmark by becoming the youngest Chelsea player to create five chances in a single Champions League game, surpassing Eden Hazard’s previous record.

Scandinavian promise: Dadason and Karl shine

Copenhagen’s Viktor Dadason provided a bright moment despite his team’s 4-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. At 17 years and 113 days, the Icelandic striker became the third youngest scorer in modern Champions League history when he headed home in stoppage time. It was his first senior goal, coming just days after his domestic debut.

Standing out for his physical presence and aerial strength, Dadason has represented Iceland across youth levels and looks poised to become a key figure for both club and country in the years ahead.

Another teenager who grabbed attention was Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl. On his first senior start, the 17-year-old attacking midfielder opened the scoring just five minutes into a 4-0 win over Club Brugge, dancing past defenders before blasting a stunning left-footed strike into the top corner.

Karl’s fearless performance reflected the numbers he posted last season — 27 goals and 11 assists in 18 matches for Bayern’s under-17 side — confirming his reputation as one of Germany’s most exciting young prospects.

Barcelona’s next generation steps up

Barcelona’s dominance over Olympiacos featured two more rising stars from their youthful setup. Dro Fernandez, a 17-year-old midfielder from La Masia, marked his growing reputation by assisting Fermin Lopez in the 6-1 victory. Turning smoothly in midfield before driving forward, he delivered a pinpoint through-ball for Lopez to score.

Known for his composure and quick decision-making, Fernandez has drawn comparisons from academy coaches to Andres Iniesta and Thiago Alcantara due to his technical precision and attacking instinct.

Roony Bardghji, Barcelona’s 19-year-old Swedish winger, also contributed an assist for Lopez’s hat-trick goal. Displaying flair and creativity, Bardghji executed a slick elastico to beat his marker before delivering a sharp cross into the box.

Born in Kuwait to Syrian parents and raised in Sweden, Bardghji has long been considered one of Scandinavia’s most gifted wingers. He previously scored a decisive winner against Manchester United in the 2023 group stage — a goal that helped Copenhagen reach the knockouts and signaled his arrival on the European scene.