Napoli 2-3 Chelsea: Joao Pedro fires Blues into Champions League round of 16 after win in Naples
Match report as Chelsea beat Napoli to finish sixth in the Champions League league phase; Joao Pedro scored two brilliant goals to win it for Liam Rosenior's side; Enzo Fernandez had put Chelsea ahead in the first half; the Blues go straight into the round of 16
Thursday 29 January 2026 08:11, UK
Two sublime strikes from Joao Pedro fired Chelsea into the Champions League round of 16 as they finished sixth in the league phase table after a 3-2 win at Napoli.
The Blues were in a precarious position heading into the final game - only in the top eight on goal difference as they looked to avoid two additional games in the knockout play-offs.
Chelsea made a perfect start when they were awarded an early penalty. Juan Jesus was penalised for handball from a Blues free-kick, and despite Napoli's protests, Enzo Fernandez converted.
But the setback seemed to rouse Napoli into life.
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They started to overrun Chelsea in the hunt for an equaliser, which deservedly came just after half an hour. It was Maradona-esque from hometown boy Antonio Vergara as he charged into the box, spinning past Wesley Fofana before slotting home.
And just before the break, Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund smashed Napoli ahead, getting across the front of Fofana before hammering home.
Chelsea had set up with a three at the back in Naples, with Liam Rosenior attempting to take on the 3-4-3 master Antonio Conte at his own game.
But it was clear by half-time those tactics were not working. Cole Palmer was introduced at the break, but there was no change of shape, which Sky Sports' Paul Merson said was 'not a good move'.
"It's not the substitution, it's the system they should have changed," he added on Soccer Special.
Eventually, with the introduction of Jamie Gittens and Trevoh Chalobah in the 59th minute, Chelsea finally reverted to a back four and, mere minutes later, the Blues equalised.
It was the first of two wonderful goals from Pedro, who skipped the ball around his defender before thundering the ball home from the top of the area.
From then on, Chelsea looked far more comfortable and won it with eight minutes of normal time to play. It was another clinical finish from Pedro, finishing low past Meret, and the goalkeeper could only watch the ball roll past his weak outstretched foot.
It was the Blues' first Champions League away win of the season and they finished with 16 points and ahead of Sporting and Manchester City.
Chelsea will not play in Europe again until March and will face one of Qarabag, Monaco, Newcastle or PSG in the round of 16.
For Napoli though, it is a disaster of a European campaign as they are knocked out in the league phase.
Their entire season has been decimated by injuries, but there is shock as to how the Serie A champions have finished 30th out of 36 teams.
Rosenior admits he had to 'correct' set up in Napoli win
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior to TNT Sports: "I thought the character of the players, the resilience in the second half, the reaction to going behind was so positive - all the things I'm asking for.
"I wanted to go aggressive in the first half. We had wing-back moments in their half, but at the same time, the distances were too big. We corrected it at half-time, I made personnel changes.
"Joao Pedro scored some magnificent goals in a magnificent performance from him. He's given that to me since I came to the club. All in all, we're through, and we're delighted.
"A team hasn't won here in a long time so for the lads to come from behind and show character, it makes me very happy.
"I'm learning all the time about my team, what we're capable of, about what I need to tweak and adapt for them but we really wanted to be front-footed today. I wanted to go out and try and win the game, which was so important.
"In the end, we did but in a different way than I expected.
"I've got outstanding players. I've got a group and I trust them and the subs are always the players that make the difference in the big games."
On not having to play knockout play-off games: "It's massive for us to really be able to work with the players on the training ground because the schedule has meant we've played, we've recovered, we're prepped a game and gone again.
"So to actually work with the players on the training pitch and for them to understand what we want to do as a staff with them will be great.
"I can run them and get them fitter as well which will be good.
"You have to enjoy these moments, but we want more. We have some huge games coming up, starting with West Ham on Saturday.
"You're in the Champions League and to win this competition, you have to beat the best. Whoever we play, we'll give it our best shot. I'm just delighted that we're through in this manner."
Rosenior deserves credit for correcting tactical error in Naples
Sky Sports' Joe Shread:
Liam Rosenior regularly switched between three and four-man defences at Strasbourg, and that tactical versatility was on display in Naples.
Reece James being listed as a centre-back on the teamsheet raised eyebrows, not least given he would have to contend with the much-taller Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay charging into the box.
Ultimately, James was untroubled aerially, but Rosenior's decision to match Napoli's back three - the first time he has deployed that set up in his new job - backfired.
Chelsea may have taken the lead but they struggled to escape Napoli's press and were regularly breached down their left as Marc Cucurella and Pedro Neto struggled to adapt to their new roles, allowing Napoli to take a lead into half-time.
"Chelsea tried to match up Napoli, but it hasn't worked. They needed to bring on [Trevoh] Chalobah or [Benoit] Badiashile to play at centre half and go back to a four, with [Cole] Palmer as a No 10," said Sky Sports' Paul Merson.
With his team heading for the play-offs, Rosenior headed back to the drawing board. Within 14 minutes of the second half, Palmer and Chalobah were on, James was back on the right and Chelsea had reverted to a back four in possession.
Two minutes later, Pedro levelled. By full-time, he had scored again, Chelsea were into the last 16 and Rosenior had arguably the biggest win of his managerial career to date.
"We corrected it - I made personnel changes," Rosenior said. It's fair to question why Rosenior decided a game of this magnitude was the right time to trial a system that is unfamiliar to this squad. Chalobah should have started. The out-of-form Wesley Fofana and Neto were exposed. The result should not have been unexpected.
But the head coach deserves credit for admitting his error and giving his side the tools to dig themselves out of a hole.
"I'm learning all the time," he said. The lessons taken from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium will be valuable - especially with Paris Saint-Germain potentially lurking in the last 16.
How do CL knockout fixtures fit into Chelsea's schedule?
- Saturday January 31 - West Ham (h), Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
- Tuesday February 3 - Arsenal (a), Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
- Saturday February 7 - Wolves (a), Premier League, 3pm
- Tuesday February 10 - Leeds (h), Premier League, 7.30pm
- Friday February 13 - Hull (a), FA Cup, 7.45pm
- Saturday February 21 - Burnley (h), Premier League, 3pm
- Sunday March 1 - Arsenal (a), Premier League, 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
- Wednesday March 4 - Aston Villa (a), Premier League, 7.30pm
- March 10/11 - Champions League round of 16 first leg
- Saturday March 14 - Newcastle (h), Premier League, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
- March 17/18 - Champions League round of 16 second leg
- Saturday March 21 - Everton (a), Premier League, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
