Atalanta overturned a halftime deficit to defeat Chelsea 2–1 in the UEFA Champions League, securing only their second victory in eight meetings with English opponents and extending the Blues’ run of winless away fixtures in the competition to five.

The Italian side nearly struck early despite their record of failing to score in any first half of this season’s tournament. Just six minutes in, Ademola Lookman danced through the Chelsea back line and forced Robert Sánchez into a smart save, while Charles De Ketelaere was unable to capitalise on the rebound.

Sánchez could do little moments later when Lookman again found space inside the area, but a superb block from Josh Acheampong kept the scores level.

Those wasted opportunities proved costly. After 25 minutes, Reece James drilled a low ball across the box that João Pedro turned into the net. Although the assistant referee flagged for offside, VAR replays showed both players had timed their runs perfectly, giving Chelsea the advantage.

The goal shifted the momentum, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side dictating play until the interval and Atalanta struggling to rediscover their attacking threat.

However, as has often been the case this season, the hosts came alive after the restart. Lookman did manage to bury the ball eight minutes into the second half, but this time the assistant’s offside call stood.

There was no reprieve for Chelsea moments later. De Ketelaere sent in a pinpoint cross from the right, and Gianluca Scamacca rose high to nod home the equaliser, punishing the Blues just minutes after James narrowly missed doubling the lead at the other end.

Scamacca nearly completed the turnaround shortly after the hour mark when he flicked a free-kick toward goal, but Sánchez produced a stunning reaction stop. Chelsea’s response was limited: Alejandro Garnacho’s strike straight at Marco Carnesecchi represented their best attempt to reclaim the advantage.

The decisive moment arrived late on. De Ketelaere surged into the box, and his driven effort took deflections off both Marc Cucurella and Sánchez before nestling in the net, completing the comeback.

Carnesecchi stood firm during a late Chelsea push, denying Garnacho and James to ensure Atalanta claimed just their third home victory in their last eight outings. Chelsea, meanwhile, slumped to their first Champions League loss since Matchday One.