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Chelsea U19s 0 Barcelona 3: Blues lose Uefa Youth League Final to Barca starlets

Getty Images
Getty Images

Chelsea's Under-19s tasted defeat as Alejandro Marques' brace helped sink Barcelona beat the Blues 3-0 to claim their first Uefa Youth League title since 2014.

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Charlie Brown both hit the frame of the goal for Chelsea in Nyon as the Blues were unable to add to their 2015 and 2016 triumphs.

Abel Ruiz laid on Marques' first goal, then blasted a third in stoppage time as Barcelona prevailed in style.

The Spanish side took a deserved 1-0 lead into half-time, courtesy of that Marques goal.

barcelona-chelsea-youth-league-230418f.jpg, by Tom Doyle
barcelona-chelsea-youth-league-230418f.jpg, by Tom Doyle

Spain Under-19 striker Ruiz spun away from cover on halfway, completed a one-two and then raced clear, before clipping a cross to the far post, where Marques scored with a fine diving header.

Marques cemented Barcelona's control shortly after the break by robbing Chelsea defender Marc Guehi and slotting coolly past goalkeeper Jamie Cumming.

barcelona-chelsea-youth-league-230418g.jpg, by Tom Doyle
barcelona-chelsea-youth-league-230418g.jpg, by Tom Doyle

Hudson-Odoi and Brown both went close as Chelsea came within inches of a way back into the game in the second half, but Ruiz rounded off victory with his late effort.

barcelona-chelsea-youth-league-230418c.jpg, by Tom Doyle
barcelona-chelsea-youth-league-230418c.jpg, by Tom Doyle

Additional reporting by the Press Association.