Chelsea Takes Control of Quarter-Final with Nusken’s Goal
In a dominant display, Chelsea took control of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final against Ajax with a comfortable 3-0 victory. Sjoeke Nusken was the star of the show, scoring twice to help secure the win for Emma Hayes’ side. The result puts Chelsea in a strong position heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Lauren James opened the scoring for Chelsea after intercepting a through ball and calmly rounding the goalkeeper to slot the ball into the empty net. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but was awarded after a VAR review. Guro Reiten had a goal disallowed due to Nusken being in an offside position, but Nusken quickly made amends by scoring Chelsea’s second goal moments later. The Germany midfielder slid in to meet Reiten’s low cross and steered the ball home for her first Champions League goal.
The second half was a more cagey affair, with Chelsea showing patience and controlling the game. However, Nusken once again found the back of the net, this time from a brilliant cross by Catarina Macario. Her powerful header from six yards out put Chelsea in complete control of the tie.
This victory was a significant step forward for Chelsea, who have had a mixed campaign in the Champions League thus far. They will be pleased with their performance and the solid foundation they have built heading into the second leg. The win also gives them confidence as they continue their pursuit of a quadruple this season.
Barcelona or Braan await Chelsea in the semi-finals, and if they can maintain this level of performance, they will be a formidable opponent for either team. Chelsea will now have the option to rest some players in the second leg as they manage their busy fixture schedule.
Overall, it was a satisfying evening for Chelsea, who showed their dominance and quality against Ajax. They will be looking to carry this momentum forward as they aim to progress further in the competition. With the likes of Nusken in top form, Chelsea’s chances of success in the Women’s Champions League are looking increasingly promising.