João Félix Shines with a Brace and Penalty Win in Chelsea's Thrashing of Panathinaikos
João Félix continues to showcase his talent and potential for Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League. On a stellar night at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, the Portuguese forward was the undisputed star, scoring two goals and winning a penalty in Chelsea's dominant 4-0 victory over Panathinaikos. Under Enzo Maresca's guidance, the 'Blues' showed no mercy against the Greek side, led by former Sevilla coach Diego Alonso, in a match where Mykhailo Mudryk also shone with a goal and an assist.
Juan Manuel Perez
10/24/20242 min read
"I Know My Worth," João Félix Responds with Actions
Before the match, João Félix made it clear that he still has full confidence in his ability. "You will never see me stop working to achieve my dreams. I know my worth. I trust myself more than anyone. One day, my time will come," declared the Portuguese in a pre-match press conference. And he delivered. Though he hasn't yet displaced Cole Palmer as Chelsea's starting attacking midfielder, his performance against Panathinaikos shows he’s ready to fight for more prominence.
Needing to prove himself, Félix was the clear leader of Chelsea's 'B team' in this match. From the outset, Félix was involved in Chelsea’s most dangerous plays. In the 22nd minute, he initiated the move that would result in the opening goal, heading the ball to Mykhailo Mudryk, who then squared it back into the box for Félix to finish easily.
A Lethal Duo: Félix and Mudryk
During the first half, Félix and Mudryk were Chelsea’s standout players. The duo constantly attacked down the left flank, causing endless problems for the Panathinaikos defense. After the first goal, Enzo Fernández came close to adding a second with a long-range shot, but the home team’s goalkeeper made a crucial save.
However, João Félix’s hunger for goals didn’t stop there. Just before halftime, he tried again with a shot that narrowly missed the target. Chelsea dominated, and the second half looked set to be even more favorable for the London side.
Félix's Brace and a Penalty Win
At the start of the second half, Chelsea wasted no time extending their lead. Just three minutes in, Mudryk headed in a cross from Pedro Neto to make it 2-0. But the true highlight was still to come from João Félix. In the 65th minute, he secured his brace, putting the match beyond doubt.
To cap off his perfect night, João Félix won a penalty late in the game after being brought down in the box by the Panathinaikos defense. While he didn’t take the penalty himself, Christopher Nkunku stepped up to convert, making it 4-0.
Chelsea Dominates the Conference League
With this victory, Chelsea remains firmly on course in their quest for the UEFA Conference League title. Enzo Maresca’s side has demonstrated their ability to dominate in any setting, and with João Félix leading the 'B team,' it’s clear that they have plenty of options to continue shining in both this competition and the Premier League.
João Félix has reestablished himself as a key piece in Chelsea’s attack, and his performance against Panathinaikos serves as a reminder of his undeniable quality. With two goals and a penalty win, the Portuguese star has made it clear: he's back, and with a bang!