Chelsea 3-0 Ajax Amsterdam (19 Mar, 2024) Game Analysis،
Chelsea beat Ajax 3-0 away in the first leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday to move closer to a second consecutive appearance in the last four of Europe's top competition.
England striker Lauren James opened the scoring and German midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken added goals either side of halftime for Chelsea, who are trying to win the Champions League for the first time.
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The second leg will take place at Stamford Bridge on March 27.
The London club are aiming for a quadruple major trophy in coach Emma Hayes' final season before she takes charge of the United States women's national team. Hayes' side lead the Women's Super League, are in the final of the English League Cup and have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
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Ajax are in the Champions League last 16 for the first time and caused Chelsea plenty of problems early on at the Johan Cruyff Arena, only to concede goals from the visitors' only two shots in the first half. time.
James rounded the goalkeeper and headed home in the 19th minute for a goal that was confirmed after a VAR check for offside, before Nüsken slipped in to convert the second in the 44th.
Nüsken headed home the third goal in the 83rd to leave Chelsea in complete control.
Later on Tuesday, eight-time champions Lyon will visit another first-time quarter-finalist, Benfica.
