Chelsea continued their perfect run in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, defeating FC Astana 3-1 in Almaty to secure their fifth consecutive victory in the competition.
The win leaves the Blues top of the league phase standings with 15 points, virtually guaranteeing a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the round of 16.
The English side braved freezing conditions in Kazakhstan, fielding a rotated squad under coach Enzo Maresca.
Goals from Marc Guiu and Renato Veiga in the first half were enough to seal the win despite a late first-half strike from Astana’s Marin Tomasov.
Chelsea took control early in the match, with 18-year-old forward Marc Guiu showcasing his immense potential.
Guiu opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a stunning solo effort, driving past a defender on the right flank before slotting home from a tight angle.
Just four minutes later, the former Barcelona talent doubled Chelsea’s lead, capitalizing on a low cross from Pedro Neto to force the ball in at the near post.
Guiu’s brace brought his tally in the competition to three goals in five appearances, underscoring his value to Chelsea’s European campaign.
Renato Veiga added a third for Chelsea in the 39th minute with a towering header from a corner, further cementing the Blues’ dominance.
Astana managed to pull one back on the stroke of half-time, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Marin Tomasov.
The Croatian veteran eluded Veiga in the box before curling a sublime left-footed strike in off the far post, giving the home fans something to cheer about.
Despite the goal, Chelsea remained composed in the second half, maintaining their lead with a disciplined defensive display.
Chelsea’s win puts them three points clear of Legia Warsaw, who have also won all their matches but are yet to play their game in hand against Lugano.
Meanwhile, Astana, with just four points, remain in the final knock-out play-off spot but risk elimination as other results unfold.
Chelsea will look to extend their impressive run in the final league phase match and carry their momentum into the knockout stages.
With key players like Guiu and Veiga stepping up, Maresca’s side is emerging as a strong contender for the Europa Conference League crown.
Elsewhere in the competition, Djurgarden moved up to sixth with a 2-1 victory over Vikingur Reykjavik, despite being reduced to 10 men.
Chelsea’s European campaign continues to shine, raising hopes of lifting their first-ever Europa Conference League title.