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Chelsea beat Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 in friendly, Xabi Alonso era begins with win
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Chelsea launched the Xabi Alonso era with a thrilling 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in their first pre-season friendly in Australia. The match was an offensive spectacle, with Chelsea coming from behind twice. Young talents Dastan Satpayev, Dario Essugo, and Jamie Gittens scored for the Blues. However, the star of the match was Brazilian striker João Pedro, who came off the bench with 30 minutes remaining and scored a hat-trick in just nine minutes. Pedro had been omitted from Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad. Xabi Alonso fielded a very young team for the first hour before introducing key players. Despite the win, Chelsea showed defensive frailties, conceding four goals. The match marks a positive start for Alonso's tenure at Chelsea.
Source report
Match Summary
Chelsea has officially launched the Xabi Alonso era in style, securing a thrilling 6-4 victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers in their first friendly match of the preseason in Australia.
The Blues delivered an offensive spectacle, though not without defensive concerns. Chelsea found themselves trailing twice during the match before rallying to claim the win.
Goal Scorers
- Dastan Satpayev
- Dario Essugo
- Jamie Gittens
- João Pedro (hat-trick)
João Pedro Shines Off the Bench
The standout performer of the evening was João Pedro. Introduced as a substitute with approximately 30 minutes remaining, the Brazilian striker turned the match on its head by scoring a hat-trick in just nine minutes.
This performance was particularly poignant for João Pedro, who had been left out of Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Alonso's Tactical Approach
Xabi Alonso opted to field a very young lineup for the first hour of the match before introducing several key players. The strategy paid off, allowing the new manager to savor a spectacular first victory on the Chelsea bench.
Tags: Friendly Matches | Western Sydney Wanderers | Chelsea
Updated on July 28, 2026 — 1:49 PM
Source
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertWestern
Part of this Story
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea Debut: 6-4 Friendly Win Over Western Sydney Wanderers