Chalien Dantes/Contributor

Chelsea was saved blushes today (November 5), after scraping a 2-2 draw against Qarabag FK, thanks to a second-half equaliser from substitute Alejandro Garnacho.

The Blues came dangerously close to becoming the first English club ever to lose to the Azerbaijani side, but Garnacho’s impact off the bench rescued them from embarrassment.

Chelsea’s 18-year-old Estevão Willian linked up with fellow Brazilians João Pedro and Andrey Santos before firing home in the 16th minute. With seven changes to the side that beat Tottenham, Chelsea’s defence looked disjointed, and Qarabag seized their chance.

Leandro Andrade struck first for the hosts, volleying home a rebound after Camilo Duran’s effort hit the post. Moments later, Marko Jankovic coolly converted a penalty after Jorrel Hato handled the ball in the box, turning the game on its head.

Enzo Maresca was forced into early changes first when Romeo Lavia went off injured after six minutes, and then at halftime when Garnacho, Enzo Fernandez, and Liam Delap came on to steady the ship. The moves paid off. Just seven minutes into the second half, Garnacho pounced on a defensive error from Kevin Medina and finished confidently to level the score.

The rest of the game was wide open. Qarabag substitute Nariman Akhundzade tested Robert Sánchez from distance, while Fernandez and Estevão both came close to restoring Chelsea’s lead. In stoppage time, both sides had golden chances, but neither could find the winner.

In the end, the draw leaves both teams tied on seven points after four games in the new 36-team Champions League format.