Chelsea demolished their London rivals Arsenal 4-1 in the 2019 UEFA Europa League Final in Baku, with Eden Hazard delivering a sensational performance in what was likely his final game for the club.
The match, played in a surreal, half-empty atmosphere 2,500 miles from London, was goalless at halftime but erupted early in the second half. Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud opened the scoring with a diving header in the 49th minute. Pedro quickly doubled the lead, sweeping in a cross from Hazard. Hazard then made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Giroud was fouled.
Though substitute Alex Iwobi briefly gave Arsenal hope with a stunning volley, Hazard immediately extinguished it, playing a one-two with Giroud before firing home Chelsea’s fourth goal. The comprehensive victory earned Blues boss Maurizio Sarri his first major trophy and simultaneously cost Arsenal a spot in the next season’s Champions League.
After the game, the match-winning Belgian, who scored two goals and assisted another, confirmed that the victory was probably his “goodbye” to Chelsea amid strong links to Real Madrid. The game was also the last of Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Čech’s storied career.
