- Chelsea secured a place in the last four of the Women’s Champions League
- Mayra Ramirez scored as they drew 1-1 against Ajax to advance 4-1 on aggregate
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The chance that Chelsea would not reach the semi-finals of the Champions League was small. Likewise, Emma Hayes was unlikely to assume the job was already done.
Had a 3-0 win over Ajax last week The Blues delivered a healthy lead at the halfway mark, but nothing is ever guaranteed. Her team was not at its best in this second stage, but that did not matter. A 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge was more than enough for what is likely to be a mouthwatering draw with reigning champions Barcelona.
Their tie isn’t ready yet. The Catalans have a 2-1 lead for their second leg against Norwegian side SK Brann on Thursday, but it would be a big shock if they fail to progress.
It’s no secret how much Hayes and her players want to win this match. It is the only silverware Hayes has yet to pick up and with the 47-year-old heading to the United States at the end of the season, it would be a fairytale ending for her if she were to retire as European champion.
She is one step closer to reality, but there will be more matches to come before returning to this competition.
Mayra Ramirez scored in the first half against Ajax as Chelsea secured a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League
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The Blues face Arsenal in the League Cup final on Sunday, before taking on Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final after the international break.
Hayes was clearly thinking about the number of games Chelsea still have to play compared to their rivals when it came to her team selection. Lauren James, Sjoeke Nusken and Niamh Charles were all rested, while Mayra Ramirez and Kadeisha Buchanan were withdrawn just after the hour mark.
In fact, Chelsea looked like a team that had played a lot of games in a short space of time in the opening phase and almost gave Ajax a route back to the tie early in the first half.
Erin Cuthbert’s back pass was short, forcing goalkeeper Zecira Musovic out of her goal. Her ball was shot by Tiny Hoekstra and the ball almost ended up in Chelsea’s net, bouncing just off the post and going wide.
The Blues may have looked shaky in defense but they caused Ajax problems in their own penalty area, with Guro Reiten sending a shot inches wide of the far post.
Aggie Beever-Jones almost found the opener with a powerful run but lost her balance before getting a shot away.
But Chelsea’s pressure paid off when the breakthrough came in the 33rd minute. Reiten played Ramirez through on goal and the striker shot the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Regina van Eijk and into the net.
Ramirez should have made it 2-0 before halftime, but could only shoot Beever-Jones’ cross wide.
Chelsea were cruising but switched off just after the hour mark, allowing Ajax to equalize on the evening. Hoekstra passed the ball to Chasity Grant, who rolled a shot under Musovic.
Ajax could have won when Romee Leuchter burst into the penalty area and curled a shot towards the far post, but Musovic produced an excellent save and tipped the ball around the post.
The goalkeeper also had to be alert to make another nice stop and push Soraya Verhoeve’s long-range effort wide.
Catarina Macario then almost found a winner in extra time, but Van Eijk spread out well to block the attacker’s attempt.