Garnacho at the double as Chelsea book spot in EFL Cup semi-final | OneFootball

Garnacho at the double as Chelsea book spot in EFL Cup semi-final | OneFootball

In partnership with

Yahoo sports
Icon: OneFootball

OneFootball

Peter Fitzpatrick·16 December 2025

Garnacho at the double as Chelsea book spot in EFL Cup semi-final

Article image:Garnacho at the double as Chelsea book spot in EFL Cup semi-final

Alejandro Garnacho has had a mixed start to life at Chelsea but he was the star man for the Blues off the bench in their EFL Cup quarter-final win over Cardiff. 

Enzo Maresca rotated even more than usual but saw his side seriously struggle in the first half against the League One leaders in the Welsh capital. 


OneFootball Videos


Changes were made with Garnacho coming on for Tyrique George, and the substitute made the difference just 12 minutes after the break with the aid of a serious mistake from Cardiff defender Dylan Lawlor.

The highly-rated youngster passed the ball directly to Facundo Buonanotte when trying to play from the back, and the Argentine midfielder teed up his compatriot for a neat finish from inside the box. 

Cardiff rallied and in the 75th minute, David Turnbull powered a stooping header past Filip Jörgensen. However, their joy would not last long. 

Just seven minutes later, Pedro Neto - who came off the bench like Garnacho - restored Chelsea's lead with a fine finish, before the Argentinian got his second in added time to seal their passage into the semi-finals. 


📸 Dan Istitene - 2025 Getty Images

View publisher imprint