Chelsea secured their place in the UEFA Conference League final with a commanding 5-1 aggregate victory over Swedish side Djurgården, capping off the semi-final tie with a 1-0 win in the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s first-half strike ensured the Blues maintained their dominance, setting up a showdown with Real Betis in Wroclaw, Poland, on May 28. The match showcased Chelsea’s depth, with manager Enzo Maresca making 10 changes to the side that defeated Premier League champions Liverpool 3-1 just days earlier, while handing a debut start to 16-year-old academy star Reggie Walsh.
From the outset, Chelsea controlled proceedings, their rotated squad showing no signs of rust despite the wholesale changes. The hosts’ intent was clear early on, with Tyrique George’s incisive pass carving open Djurgården’s defense in the 38th minute. Dewsbury-Hall latched onto the ball, slotting it past stand-in goalkeeper Jacob Rinne, who was deputizing for the unregistered Filip Manojlovic. The goal, a product of Chelsea’s relentless pressing and sharp interplay, effectively extinguished any lingering hopes the Swedish side harbored after their 4-1 first-leg defeat in Stockholm. George, another Cobham academy graduate, was a constant menace, his flair and vision belying his youth.
Djurgården, to their credit, brought energy and passion, with their traveling supporters creating a vibrant atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. The Iron Stoves, already historic as the first Swedish team to reach a European semi-final since 1987, refused to go quietly. Their fans, scattered across the West Stand and the away end, sang tirelessly, undeterred by the four-goal deficit. On the pitch, however, their attacking efforts were blunted by a resolute Chelsea backline, marshaled by Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile. Filip Jörgensen, in goal, was rarely troubled, keeping a clean sheet to underline Chelsea’s defensive solidity.
Maresca’s decision to field a youthful lineup paid dividends, with Walsh, at just 16 years and 200 days, becoming Chelsea’s youngest starter in European competition. The midfielder, playing in Cole Palmer’s usual No. 10 role, displayed remarkable composure, his deft touches hinting at a bright future. Substitutes Shim Mheuka and Genesis Antwi, both 17, were introduced in the second half, further emphasizing Chelsea’s commitment to their academy pipeline. The trio’s involvement was a nod to the club’s storied Cobham production line, which continues to churn out talent regardless of managerial or ownership changes.
Despite the comfortable lead, Chelsea remained professional, avoiding the complacency that saw them lose 2-1 to Legia Warsaw in the previous round’s second leg. Maresca, aware of the upcoming Premier League clash against Newcastle United, managed his squad astutely, ensuring key players were rested while maintaining momentum in Europe. Djurgården, meanwhile, struggled to create clear chances, with injuries to key players like Gustav Wikheim and Rasmus Schüller limiting their options. Their lone goal in the tie, Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta’s header in the first leg, remained a mere consolation.
The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge was electric, with Djurgården’s vocal supporters briefly sparking a response from the Matthew Harding Stand as both sets of fans traded chants. Chelsea’s home faithful, however, had plenty to cheer about, celebrating their team’s eighth European final appearance and a chance to become the first club to win all three major UEFA competitions. The Blues’ 4-1 first-leg win, powered by goals from Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke, and a Nicolas Jackson brace, had set the tone, and the second leg was a formality they navigated with ease.