Chelsea moved within touching distance of the UEFA Conference League final with a 4-1 rout of Djurgarden in the semi-final first leg on May 1, 2025, at Stockholm’s 3Arena. The Blues, in their debut campaign in Europe’s third-tier competition, overwhelmed the Swedish champions with goals from Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke, and a Nicolas Jackson brace.
Sancho opened the scoring in the 20th minute, slotting home after a quick counter. Madueke doubled the lead before halftime, curling a precise shot past goalkeeper Jacob Rinne. Jackson’s close-range tap-in and a fizzing left-footed strike in the second half sealed the rout, despite a consolation header from Djurgarden’s teenager Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta.
Djurgarden, in their deepest European run after 12 domestic titles, struggled on their artificial pitch, managing only one win in their opening three domestic games. Chelsea, despite a prior 3-0 loss to Legia Warsaw in the tournament, adapted swiftly, with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen thwarting a deflected shot from Tokmac Nguen. Manager Enzo Maresca hailed the “perfect night” but warned of complacency ahead of the second leg on May 8 at Stamford Bridge. The winners will face either Real Betis, who lead Fiorentina 2-1, in the final on May 28 in Wroclaw, Poland.
Chelsea’s 15 goals in the Conference League this season underscore their attacking depth, even as they sit fifth in the Premier League. Djurgarden’s early pressure fizzled after defensive errors, and their 30% possession rate reflected Chelsea’s dominance. The Blues’ 4,000 traveling fans celebrated a performance that positions them as favorites, but Maresca’s caution reflects the memory of their Legia stumble. Djurgarden face an uphill battle in London, needing a historic comeback to reach their first European final.
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