Stockholm: Chelsea have taken a giant step toward their first UEFA Conference League final after dispatching Swedish underdogs Djurgarden 4-1 in the first leg of the semi-final on Thursday. With goals from Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke, and a Nicolas Jackson brace, the Premier League side are firmly in control heading into next week’s return leg.
Sancho and Madueke Give Chelsea Early Control
Despite playing on an artificial surface and facing a motivated Djurgarden side playing in their first European semi-final since 1987, Chelsea settled quickly. Sancho opened the scoring on 12 minutes after collecting a lofted through ball and finishing coolly, aided by an unfortunate deflection off defender Marcus Danielson’s arm.
Noni Madueke doubled Chelsea’s lead in the 43rd minute with a clever finish at the near post, having faked a cross-goal shot to bamboozle the Djurgarden defense. Chelsea’s composure grew as they adapted to the pitch conditions and began dominating possession.
Jackson at the Double
The second half saw Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson shine. He made it 3-0 just before the hour mark, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up with a tap-in. Moments later, he struck again, firing a precise left-footed shot from the edge of the box to put the tie almost out of reach.
Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta offered a glimmer of hope for the hosts with a headed consolation goal in the 68th minute—his first senior goal—but it wasn’t enough to dent Chelsea’s dominance.
As the interval loomed, Djurgarden nearly caught Chelsea with a sucker-punch, only for the English club’s Swedish-born ‘keeper Filip Jorgensen to readjust brilliantly and tip Tokmac Nguen’s deflected strike behind for a corner.
Jackson put Chelsea three goals to the good one minute before the hour as he tapped in from close range following a defensive mix-up.
The Senegalese striker doubled up six minutes later, unleashing a fizzing shot with his left foot from the edge of the box.
Teenager Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta snatched a consolation for Djurgarden in the 68th minute with a powerful downward header for his first senior goal.
In Andalusia, Betis had a dream start when Abde Ezzalzouli smashed the ball in off the crossbar on six minutes following battling centre-forward play by the in-form Cedric Bakambu.
Fiorentina came within a whisker of equalising midway through the first half, but Rolando Mandragora’s powerful header zipped inches wide of goalkeeper Fran Vieites’ upright.
Former Barcelona centre-half Marc Bartra had a chance to double Betis’ lead at the end of the first period but blasted over from a corner.
Manchester United loanee Antony then did get a second for the hosts with a fierce right-footed effort from outside the box which flew beyond David de Gea’s reach and into the top corner in the 64th minute.
Fiorentina halved the lead against the run of play with 17 minutes remaining as Luca Ranieri slotted home after being teed up by Robin Gosens.
Real Betis Edge Fiorentina in Tight Semi-Final
In the other semi-final, Real Betis edged past Italian side Fiorentina 2-1 in Andalusia. Abde Ezzalzouli opened the scoring early, and Antony doubled the advantage in the 64th minute with a stunning long-range strike.
Luca Ranieri pulled one back for Fiorentina late in the game, setting up a competitive second leg next Thursday in Italy.
What’s Next?
With a commanding three-goal advantage, Chelsea are strong favourites to reach the UEFA Conference League final, which will take place in Wroclaw, Poland on May 28. Lifting the trophy would add to the club’s impressive continental haul, including two Champions League titles, two Europa Leagues, and two Cup Winners’ Cups.
Meanwhile, the Real Betis vs Fiorentina tie remains finely poised. Both second-leg matches are scheduled for next Thursday, promising more drama in the race to be crowned the third-tier European champions.
Stay tuned for second-leg updates, tactical breakdowns, and potential final previews as Chelsea look to add more silverware to their European legacy.
