Chelsea has one foot in the Conference League final after cruising to a 4-1 victory over Djurgarden in the first stage of their semi-final draw on Thursday.
Nicolas Jackson came from the bank to score two goals in six second half minutes to seal a comfortable victory prior to the second stage of next week at Stamford Bridge.
Jadon Sancho fired Chelsea a 12th minute ahead and took a touch of the cross of Enzo Fernandez before he found the net, despite the efforts of Marcus Danielson on the line.
The blues almost doubled their advantage just after half an hour, but the attempted lobe by Noni Madueke was brilliantly tipped by goalkeeper Jacob Rinne.
But Madueke did not have to be denied a third goal of the season of the season, because he shot home in the nearby post after another Fernandez assistant in the 43rd minute.
The blues set the result out of doubt after the break by Jackson, where the striker took into use of a mix between Danielson and Rinne.
Jackson, as a half-time replacement for Madueke, doubled his count with a smart finish in the roof of the net.
Djurgarden took a comfort when teen Isak Alemayehu passed Filip Jorgensen in the 68th minute, but a comeback never probably looked.
Chelsea indeed almost restored their kisses from four goals, but the 16-year-old debutant Reggie Walsh could only find Rinne's gloves.
Board !! #CFC | #Uecl pic.twitter.com/gytsnpxcpv
– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) May 1, 2025
Data Debrief: Chelsea Edge closer to completing the European set
Chelsea will not want to be complacent, but it is certainly the job?
According to the supercomputer of Opta, the blues have a 61% chance to win this trophy as it looks now. If they do that, it will make them the first club to complete the full set of European trophies, which also won the Champions League and the Europa League twice a piece.
With a top five finish in the Premier League also a target for the blues, Enzo Maresca made eight changes for the kick-off, but it didn't matter much as his team dominated. They ended the game with an expected goals (XG) total of 2.17 of their 12 shots, with midfielder Fernandez the key to their attacking dominance.
The Argentinian ended the match with a team-high total for opportunities (three), while only Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (four) played more crosses than Fernandez (three).