Moises Caicedo’s late header earned Chelsea a narrow 1-0 Champions League win over a disciplined Pafos side, keeping Liam Rosenior’s team inside the top-eight positions. Chelsea now sit eighth and remain on track to reach the last 16 automatically, although several rivals, including Barcelona and Manchester City, are level on points but behind on goal difference.
The group picture stays tight after this result, with Pafos left two points below the play-off line. Pafos still have hope, though, as the final match is a home fixture against Slavia Prague. Chelsea, meanwhile, must visit Napoli next Wednesday, a trip that promises a far tougher examination of their Champions League credentials.
Pafos stayed compact for long spells, often dropping deep
and packing the penalty area as Chelsea pushed forward. Jay Gorter produced several important stops, including saves from Caicedo, to frustrate the hosts. Chelsea created steady pressure rather than clear-cut chances, and Caicedo was heavily involved, recording four of the team’s seven shots on target across the contest.
The decisive moment arrived after 78 minutes and again came from a Chelsea corner. Pedro Neto curled in an in-swinging delivery from the right, which Wesley Fofana glanced on at the near post. Caicedo reacted fastest, escaped the Pafos markers and directed a firm header into the left side of the net.
#CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/m7AwplhSOtChelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 21, 2026
Chelsea thought the breakthrough had come much earlier, when Enzo Fernandez met another Neto corner after 17 minutes. Fernandez powered a header past Gorter, only for the effort to be ruled out. The officials decided Fernandez had committed a foul in the build-up, cancelling the goal and giving Pafos an important reprieve.
Pafos offered little going forward but still produced some nervous moments for Chelsea’s defence. Jaja broke clear and smashed a shot against the post, then appealed for handball when the rebound struck Reece James, but those protests were ignored. Jorrel Hato tested Jay Gorter from distance, while Bruno Felipe slid in with a crucial tackle to deny Alejandro Garnacho a likely goal.
Caicedo’s persistence summed up Chelsea’s evening. "If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again. " The midfielder had four of Chelsea’s seven shots on target, the highest such tally of Caicedo’s Blues career, and finally struck with the fourth. Chelsea ended with 21 shots and an expected goals figure of 1.68, compared with Pafos’ four attempts and 0.15 xG.
Pafos again showed why their defensive record in this Champions League campaign has been strong for a lower-ranked side. Before this match, they had faced 123 shots, the most of any team in the competition, yet conceded only nine goals, the fewest among the bottom 12 teams. Gorter added six more saves to that effort, keeping the scoreline respectable.
Chelsea’s win also extends a strong home sequence in continental competition. The club are now unbeaten in 15 Champions League group or league-stage fixtures at Stamford Bridge, winning 11 and drawing four. The last six of those matches have all ended in Chelsea victories, underlining how difficult visiting sides find these nights in west London.
Overall, Chelsea leave this game with three vital points, an extended unbeaten home record and greater control of their Champions League destiny. Pafos remain alive in the race despite sitting below the play-off spots, and the closing round, featuring Chelsea’s trip to Napoli and Pafos’ meeting with Slavia Prague, will decide whether this tight campaign rewards either side further.
