Chelsea continued their unbeaten streak in the Conference League, securing a 1-0 win over Copenhagen on Thursday to complete a 3-1 aggregate triumph and book their spot in the quarter-finals.
Despite being favorites heading into the second leg, Chelsea struggled in the first half, failing to register a single shot while Copenhagen controlled the attacking momentum.
However, the Danish side couldn’t capitalize on their chances, leaving the tie evenly poised at halftime.
The introduction of Cole Palmer after the break immediately energized Chelsea’s attack. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a moment of brilliance, weaving through multiple defenders before slotting a precise finish into the bottom right corner. The goal provided Chelsea with a comfortable two-goal cushion in the tie.
Following the opener, the Blues took control of the match, restricting Copenhagen to just four shots in the final 35 minutes. Their solid defensive display ensured they held onto the 1-0 lead until the final whistle, sealing their place in the last eight of the competition.
While Chelsea’s second-half improvement was evident, their first-half struggles highlighted concerns about their dependency on Palmer for attacking creativity.
Enzo Maresca will be pleased with the victory but may need to address this issue as the competition progresses.
Dewsbury-Hall’s Magic Seals the Win
A chaotic sequence in Copenhagen’s half saw the ball break loose for Dewsbury-Hall, who swiftly maneuvered past three defenders to advance towards goal.
After a fortunate bounce inside the box, the midfielder unleashed a well-placed shot across the goalkeeper, nestling into the far right corner—a stunning solo effort.
Man of the Match – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
In a match lacking attacking quality, Dewsbury-Hall’s goal was the defining moment, making him a deserving winner of the Man of the Match award.
The midfielder was a key figure in Chelsea’s attack, not only scoring the decisive goal but also delivering three crucial passes.
Copenhagen’s Birger Meling also stood out, emerging as his team’s biggest threat and creating two major opportunities to get back into the contest.
What’s Next?
With their quarter-final berth secured, Chelsea now shift focus to their battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League. A tough test awaits them on Sunday as they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Copenhagen, meanwhile, will turn their attention back to the Danish Superliga, where they look to reclaim the top spot with an away fixture against Viborg.
