Chelsea Create Champions League History, First Time Three Teenagers Score...

Last Updated:October 23, 2025, 11:26 IST

In a contest that saw Ajax being reduced to 10 men at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea stormed to a 5-1 win.

Chelsea players celebrate after scoring a goal against Ajax in London. (AP Photo)

Chelsea capitalised on an early red card for Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor to thrash the Dutch giants 5-1 in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Enzo Maresca’s decision to make 10 changes paid off as Marc Guiu and Moises Caicedo scored, followed by Enzo Fernandez and Estevao converting from the penalty spot in the first half.

Tyrique George completed the scoring in the second half, marking the first time in Champions League history that three teenagers have scored for the same team.

“We trust a lot of young players," said Maresca following the goals from Guiu, Estevao, and George. “That is the strategy of the club, not only with the ones we buy but also with those from the academy."

This victory secured back-to-back Champions League wins after an opening night defeat at Bayern Munich.

The Blues climbed to 11th in the table, while Ajax remained at the bottom of the Champions League standings.

Ajax arrived in London without a point or even a goal in this season’s Champions League.

With Chelsea dealing with an injury crisis after winning the Club World Cup in July, Maresca targeted the visit of the four-time European champions as an opportunity to rest several key players.

Only Romeo Lavia, who came off at half-time at the City Ground, was retained from the side that won 3-0 at Nottingham Forest over the weekend.

However, the match saw the return of Fernandez from injury, the club’s record signing Caicedo, and Brazilian wonder kid Estevao.

“It’s a very demanding season, so we need to rotate, otherwise it’s complicated for the ones that play all the games," added Maresca.

Ajax had been soundly beaten by Inter Milan and Marseille in their first two games and saw any hope of improvement vanish once VAR upgraded Taylor’s high challenge on Facundo Buonanotte from a yellow to a red card in the 15th minute.

Maresca faced questions about Chelsea’s discipline in the pre-match press conference after his team had a man sent off in four of their last six games.

This time, they made their numerical advantage count.

From the resulting free-kick after Taylor’s dismissal, Guiu turned home Wesley Fofana’s header across the box.

Caicedo, who had just three Chelsea goals since his £115 million move from Brighton in 2023, now has four this season.

The Ecuadorian benefitted from a deflection off Josip Sutalo for his goal.

Ajax briefly saw a glimmer of hope when Tosin Adarabioyo stepped on Raul Moro’s foot, leading to Wout Weghorst’s penalty conversion.

However, two more penalties before the break allowed Chelsea to secure the game.

Weghorst was penalised for tripping Fernandez, who then scored from the penalty spot.

Estevao added another goal, confidently dispatching his penalty high past Remko Pasveer.

Maresca made four more changes to start the second half, with Fernandez and Caicedo among those withdrawn.

George took just three minutes to make an impact off the bench, scoring with a precise low finish from Andrey Santos’s backheel.

With AFP Inputs

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

Read More

News sports Chelsea Create Champions League History, First Time Three Teenagers Score...

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