Twitter erupts as Denis Zakaria caps off Chelsea debut with matchwinning goal in 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb win
Twitter exploded as Chelsea emerged victorious in their final UEFA Champions League group game against Dinamo Zagreb, beating the Croatian outfit 2-1 to consolidate their position atop Group E.
The game started badly for the Blues as they conceded the first goal with just seven minutes on the clock. The Croatian champions struck with energy and clinical efficiency, taking the hosts' defense by surprise to open the scoring. Bruno Petkovic put his side in front when he found himself at the end of a header from close range.
Although things started on a good note for Zagreb, who needed a win to secure third place and a slot in the UEFA Europa League, it soon took a turn for bad. 18 minutes into the game, Raheem Sterling scored the equalizer to put a dent in the Croats' hopes. Jorginho provided a vital pass to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and the striker's backheel set Sterling up to finish into the bottom left corner.
Kai Havertz had a big chance to score and put Chelsea in the lead in the first half, but the forward failed to capitalize on it, putting his effort over the bar from just ten yards. However, he was soon vindicated, as Denis Zakaria scored a long-range effort a minute later to seal the deal.
The midfielder, who only just joined the Blues on loan from Juventus, was on hand to blast his shot towards the bottom left corner to score on his debut for Chelsea. Havertz pulled the ball back, which was deflected towards the outer penalty area, and Zakaria set it off on a low shot that beat a defender and goalkeeper to roll into the net.
Chelsea secure all three points despite goalless second half
Dinamo Zagreb were widely expected to take the game to Chelsea after they returned from the half-time break. However, the Croats struggled to get past the Blues' strengthened defense. Edouard Mendy notably made an important save to keep them out, but the biggest chance of the second half went to Gabonese striker Aubameyang.
The forward received a pass after a failed Zagreb counter and cut inside from the left before unleashing a dipping shot. It clearly beat the keeper's outstretched arms, but was a few inches too high as it hit the crossbar instead. They would eventually make do with clinical first-half efforts from Sterling and Zakaria, which would prove helpful to secure all three points on the night.
Here is how Twitter reacted as Chelsea beat Dinamo Zagreb and consolidated their position at the top of their group:
Zakaria scoring on debut, Potter will pay for acting like this Kaka regen didnβt exist
Zakaria has started really well and deserves that goal, we havenβt had a physical presence in midfield for a long time.
"Thomas Tuchel set Chelsea back by signing Zakaria and Sterling " https://t.co/S4SGFDFJiu
Kai Havertz looked a lot better than he has for most of the season. Good to see him linking up well with Auba and Sterling today as well. π
If Sterling gets any key pass/touch/dribble, itβs mostly down to luck.
Heβs that bad at the moment.
@ChelseaFC can we give sterling back fr
AUBAMEYANG NO PAAAAAAAAU
What an effort from Aubameyang, that would have been goal of the week for sure. #UCL
That Aubameyang goal for sweet me!
What a shot from Aubameyang! Would have been an incredible goal.
Compare how Pulisic carries the ball centrally in transition vs Havertz lmfao
Another good performance form Havertz.
Havertz played well today
Love havertz at that 10 though
Looks good there.
Zakaria playing well so far
Kai Havertz playing as the 10 is where he belongs.
Havertz is always a different breed in the Champions league. He should bring this form to premier league nw.
Can we talk about Kai Havertz, he was absolutely cooking in that first half π₯
Denis Zakaria is the GOAT
We have a baller . ZAKARIA π«
The Zakaria audition
Zakaria has something about him. Always said that
@SJohnsonSport Zakaria meeting that Argentinian hobbit in midfield https://t.co/uBjO0puiSM
@ChelseaFC Tell us zakaria is okay
@ChelseaFC @WhaleFinApp Potter needs to play Zakaria more
Chelsea have officially become the sixth club in history to win 100 Champions League gamesβ¦
ππ’π¬ππ¨π«π’π. π https://t.co/LHOh0TXmtt
@ChelseaFC @WhaleFinApp Pulisic's impact off the bench is always top class. Would like to see him start over sterling a few times, just to give that little more competition, and also he does deserve a start, as do a few other bench players
Club Brugge
Inter
Frankfurt
Leipzig
Dortmund
PSG
1 of the above await Chelsea in the Last 16! #cfc
@AbsoluteChelsea Chelsea players π€ Injury
Ben Chilwell looks to have done his hamstring in the Champions League tonight.
Arsenal face Chelsea this weekendβ¦
@TheEuropeanLad Psg getting Madrid or Chelsea inshallah
The west London club will next play Arsenal at home in the Premier League on November 6.