Estevão’s 96th-Minute Strike as MTN Watch Party at Cubana Lagos Explodes

The passion of Nigerian football fans reached a fever pitch on Saturday, October 4, 2025, as Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Liverpool, with 18-year-old Brazilian substitute Estevão netting a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time. The result sent the massive crowd gathered for the MTN English Premier League Watch Party at the Cubana Lagos into absolute surprise. The result sent the massive crowd gathered into absolute, joyous disbelief.

Under immense pressure to turn around a stuttering start to the campaign, Chelsea began the clash at Stamford Bridge with fierce determination. Their early dominance was rewarded in the 14th minute. Midfield enforcer Moisés Caicedo, afforded a costly yard of space outside the box, unleashed a ferocious shot, launching a dipping, leaving Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili grasping out of the box.

The atmosphere travelled instantly from London to Lagos. “See you finish! That is the Caicedo we paid a hundred million for!” screamed a Chelsea supporter, Chinedu OFILI. Liverpool, facing a potential third straight loss, emerged from the break looking revitalised, with manager Arne Slot introducing Florian Wirtz to spark their attack. Their hard work paid off in the 63rd minute when the persistent Cody Gakpo bundled the ball into the net from close range after a clever flick from Alexander Isak, levelling the contest.

The final half-hour descended into a thrilling affair, compounded by an injury crisis that forced Chelsea to use all their substitutions, including the introduction of Estevão for his first taste of the intense fixture.

“At MTN, we believe that every Nigerian deserves a chance to be connected, seen, heard, and celebrated. That is why we are taking this message to every corner of Nigeria, from the bustling cities to the most remote villages, so that no youth is left behind,” said MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka.

The match ended a few minutes after Enzo Fernández agonizingly struck the post, the moment of glory arrived in the 96th minute with a win for Chelsea as 2-1. Left-back Marc Cucurella whipped a dangerous, low cross across the face of the goal, and there was Estevão, the teenage sensation, to slide in and stab the ball past Mamardashvili for the decisive goal.