Islamabad, 9 May, 2025: Chelsea have booked their place in the UEFA Conference League final after easing past Sweden’s Djurgarden with a 5-1 aggregate win in the semi-final.
The second leg at Stamford Bridge ended in a composed 1-0 victory, completing a dominant two-leg performance for the London side.
Despite making 10 changes to the team that beat Liverpool at the weekend, manager Enzo Maresca’s squad showed little sign of disruption.
Among the fresh faces was 16-year-old Reggie Walsh, who made his senior debut.
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Chelsea’s only goal of the night came through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who struck low into the corner of the net following a well-timed pass from Tyrique George.
The Swedish visitors, cheered on by a vocal away section throughout the match, failed to break down Chelsea’s defence.
As the game progressed, Maresca introduced more young talent, including 17-year-olds Shim Mheuka and Genesis Antwi, underlining the club’s growing trust in its youth ranks.
Chelsea will now face Spain’s Real Betis in the final, scheduled for 28 May in the Polish city of Wroclaw.
Betis progressed after a dramatic extra-time win over Fiorentina, finishing 4-3 on aggregate in the other semi-final.
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This marks Chelsea’s eighth European final, and their first since lifting the Champions League trophy in 2021 under then-manager Thomas Tuchel.
It also presents an opportunity for Enzo Maresca to claim his first piece of silverware with the club, and potentially Chelsea’s first major honour since the end of Roman Abramovich’s ownership.
The final will not only be a significant milestone for Maresca but could also signal a new chapter for Chelsea, who are seeking stability and success under their current leadership.
As the team prepares for the showdown with Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis, fans will hope the club can once again make a mark on the European stage.
