Chelsea vs Ajax LIVE: Women’s Champions League result and final score from quarter-final tonight
Chelsea 1-1 Ajax (4-1 on agg.): The Blues returned to the semi-finals as Mayra Ramirez scored at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea and Emma Hayes remain on course for a first Women’s Champions League title as the Blues completed a 4-1 aggregate win over Ajax at Stamford Bridge to return to the semi-finals.
Chelsea were in control of the tie after claiming an impressive 3-0 win in Amsterdam last week and advanced courtesy of a 1-1 draw that allowed Hayes to rest key players ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final against Arsenal.
Chelsea almost fell behind to a comedy goal as goalkeeper Zecira Musovic’s clearance deflected off Ajax attacker Tiny Hoekstra and almost cannoned into the empty net.
But record signing Mayra Ramirez then put Chelsea on course for the semi-finals as Erin Cuthbert won the ball back in midfield and Guro Reiten slipped a pass through to the Colombian to finish past goalkeeper Regina van Eijk’s legs.
Hayes had made six changes with Sunday’s League Cup final against Arsenal on the horizon, and Ajax managed to pull one back in the second half as Chasity Grant finished under Musovic to prevent Chelsea from extending their winning run. Musovoic was then forced into two outstanding fingertip saves to prevent defeat on the night.
The Blues could now face a semi-final rematch with Champions League holders Barcelona, who will take a 2-1 lead into their second leg against Norwegian side Brann tomorrow night. Follow live updates from Chelsea vs Ajax in tonight’s live blog and get the latest match odds and Women’s Champions League tips, here.
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax (3-0 on agg.)
22 mins: WIDE! Chelsea go close this time! A brilliant run from Beever-Jones sets up Reiten on the left. The winger takes it first time on her left foot, but it glides past the post!
It’s end to end.
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax (3-0 on agg.)
17 mins: WIDE! Oh my goodness... Chelsea are living dangerously, as we almost get a freak own goal! Cuthbert’s back-pass almost plays Musovic into trouble but the goalkeeper’s clearance cannons into the head of Ajax forward Hoekstra!
The ball trickles towards the empty Chelsea goal... but just dribbles wide of the post!
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax (3-0 on agg.)
16 mins: CHANCE! Oooh - that could have been 1-0 Ajax. Chelsea’s don’t clear and Leuchter turns Buchanan well to break into the box. She fires low and across goal but it narrowly misses the far post.
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax (3-0 on agg.)
9 mins: Close! And that was almost it! A good move from Chelsea as Beever-Jones is released on the right. She cuts it back and finds Curtbert arriving on the six-yard box, and her shot towards the near post is deflected wide! It should have been a corner as Cuthbert’s appeals.
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax (3-0 on agg.)
8 mins: No sense of a dead-rubber here. Ajax need an early goal and there’s a quick tempo to the opening stages. It could suit Chelsea as they look to finish the tie off.
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax (3-0 on agg.)
4 mins: Almost a disaster from Muscovic after the Chelsea goalkeeper passes straight out and gives possession away, but Chelsea are able to clear.
Then Spitse is caught but Kirby can’t quite find the ball through to Reiten.
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax (3-0 on agg.)
3 mins: Chelsea concede an early corner and are caught sleeping as Ajax take it short. It ends with the returning Sherida Spitse heading over.
Zecira Musovic was scrambling back.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea vs Ajax (3-0 on agg.)
1 min: Got to say, it’s far quieter tonight that it was the last time I was at Stamford Bridge, which was for Chelsea’s 3-1 over Arsenal in the WSL.
But we’re underway.
Chelsea vs Ajax (3-0 on agg.)
Here we go! The players are out at Stamford Bridge and we are not long to kick-off now.
Can Chelsea return to the Champions League semi-finals? They are one step there, Now it’s about finishing the job.
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