WCL: Ajax 0-3 Chelsea – Blues cruise in Amsterdam
Chelsea WFC has taken one step closer to booking their spot in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals after a comfortable win at Ajax.
A Lauren James goal and Sjoeke Nusken’s double saw Emma Haye’s Blues take control in Amsterdam.
It’s Ajax’s first time competing at this stage.
James opened the scoring after a through ball was intercepted but an attempted clearance rebounded off an Ajax defender into her path. She calmly rounded the goalkeeper to slot into the empty net, with the video assistant referee (VAR) awarding the goal after it was initially ruled out for offside.
Guro Reiten had a goal disallowed by VAR with Nusken stood in an offside position, but the latter scored Chelsea’s second moments later.
Nusken slid in to meet Reiten’s low cross and steer home for her first Champions League goal.
The second half was a more cagey affair with Chelsea showing patience, but Nusken powered home from a brilliant Catarina Macario cross to put the team in full control before the second leg/
That takes place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, 27 March.
If Chelsea secure the quarter-final win they’ll face either Barcelona or Braan in the semis.