De Ketelaere Stuns Chelsea with Late Winner as Atalanta Stage Dramatic Champions League Comeback
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Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere rose to the occasion, scoring a stunning late winner to inspire his team's thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea in the Champions League. The Belgian forward's decisive strike, which came in the 83rd minute, capped off an impressive display that saw him provide the assist for the equalizing goal earlier in the match. Chelsea had taken the lead in the first half through Joao Pedro's well-taken goal, but Atalanta's momentum shifted after the interval. Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca equalized in the 55th minute, capitalizing on a misplaced Chelsea marking. Scamacca's header, which was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez earlier in the match, ultimately proved to be the turning point in the game. De Ketelaere's influence on the match was evident throughout, as he has now scored six goals and provided seven assists in his last 12 Champions League appearances. Chelsea, on the other hand, saw their winless streak extend to four matches, with their last victory coming in a 3-0 win over Barcelona on November 25. The loss has significant implications for Chelsea's bid to secure a top-eight finish, which guarantees automatic qualification for the last 16. With only two matches remaining in January, against Pafos and Napoli, the pressure is mounting on the Blues to regain their form. Atalanta, now third in the group, has enjoyed a remarkable season, with wins over Club Brugge, Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Chelsea. Their last 16 hopes are still alive, and a strong finish to the group stage could see them secure a coveted spot in the knockout phase.
