Chelsea maintained their flawless Europa Conference League campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Astana in Kazakhstan, showcasing their emerging young talent while battling freezing conditions in Almaty.
Young Spanish striker Marc Guiu led the charge with an impressive first-half double, demonstrating why he’s considered one of Chelsea’s most promising prospects. The 18-year-old’s performance, which included a skillful individual effort and a clinical finish, brought his European tally to three goals in five appearances this season.
The London club’s dominance was further cemented by 21-year-old Renato Veiga’s headed goal from a corner, though Astana’s Croatian veteran Marin Tomasov managed to add some drama with a spectacular curling strike just before halftime.
This victory strengthens Chelsea’s position at the summit of their group with a perfect 15 points from five matches, putting them three points clear of fellow unbeaten side Legia Warsaw. The win virtually assures Chelsea of a top-eight finish in the league phase, which would secure direct passage to the round of 16.
Manager Enzo Maresca’s decision to field a changed lineup proved successful, with several young players seizing their opportunity to shine. Guiu’s opening goal particularly highlighted the quality in Chelsea’s youth ranks, as he demonstrated exceptional skill by beating his defender on the right flank before finishing from a difficult angle.
The Spanish forward’s second goal, coming just four minutes later, showed his predatory instincts as he converted at the near post following excellent work from Pedro Neto on the wing. This quick-fire double effectively set the tone for Chelsea’s dominant performance.
Despite the challenging conditions in Kazakhstan, Chelsea’s control rarely wavered after establishing their lead. The hosts, now precariously positioned in the final knockout play-off spot with just four points, struggled to match Chelsea’s intensity and technical quality throughout the match.
Tomasov’s goal, while spectacular, proved to be merely a consolation as Chelsea professionally managed the second half to secure their fifth consecutive victory in the competition. The result leaves Astana facing potential elimination, highlighting the growing gap between the competition’s stronger and weaker teams.
The victory continues Chelsea’s impressive European campaign, marking them as one of only two teams, alongside Legia Warsaw, to maintain a perfect record in the Conference League. This consistency in Europe provides a strong foundation as the competition moves toward its knockout stages.
Chelsea’s performance demonstrated their squad depth and the quality of their youth development program. With players like Guiu and Veiga stepping up on the European stage, the future looks promising for the London club’s continental ambitions.
As the group stage approaches its conclusion, Chelsea’s commanding position suggests they will be among the favorites to progress deep into the competition. Their ability to blend youth with experience while maintaining high performance levels away from home bodes well for their knockout stage prospects.
The result not only maintains Chelsea’s perfect record but also reinforces their status as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders. With automatic qualification to the round of 16 now virtually secured, they can focus on maintaining their momentum and further developing their promising young talent in European competition.
