Chelsea secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Ajax in the Champions League, with three teenagers scoring in a historic performance. The Blues set multiple records, including the youngest starting XI of the season and the first team ever to have three teenage goalscorers in a single match. Young talents like Estevao Willian and Tyrique George stole the show at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's match against Ajax on Wednesday night turned into a showcase for their youthful squad, resulting in a 5-1 win that highlighted the team's emerging talents. Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor received an early red card in the 17th minute for a lunging challenge on Facundo Buonanotte, allowing Chelsea to take control. Marc Guiu opened the scoring a minute later, becoming the club's youngest Champions League goalscorer at 19 years old. A deflected shot from Moises Caicedo made it 2-0 before the half-hour mark, though Wout Weghorst pulled one back for Ajax via penalty.
Enzo Fernandez converted a penalty to restore the two-goal lead, and just before halftime, Estevao Willian stepped up for another spot-kick. The 18-year-old Brazilian slotted it home, breaking Guiu's record to become Chelsea's youngest Champions League scorer at 18 years and 181 days. Estevao also became the third-youngest player to convert a penalty in the competition. Early in the second half, substitute Tyrique George added the fifth goal just two minutes after coming on, completing a trio of teenage scorers—Guiu, Estevao, and George (all 19 or younger)—a first in Champions League history.
The starting XI had an average age of 22 years and 163 days, the youngest in this season's competition and the second-youngest ever for an English club. Chelsea gave minutes to 10 players aged 21 or under, with Reggie Walsh (17 years and 2 days) becoming the club's youngest-ever Champions League debutant. Jamie Gittens, 21, earned man of the match by creating five chances, breaking Eden Hazard's record as the youngest Chelsea player to do so. Three penalties were awarded in the first half, another competition first.
Head coach Enzo Maresca praised the momentum: "It was good to win [against Ajax] to continue the momentum, but now in 48 hours we have one more game that is very demanding." Tyrique George shared his excitement post-match: "It's an amazing feeling... to score in the Champions League, it's what dreams are made of." Teammate Jorrel Hato compared Estevao to Lamine Yamal, calling him "really good… again." This victory marked Chelsea's second straight Champions League win after an opening loss to Bayern Munich, extending their overall winning streak to four games.
