Ajax 0-3 Chelsea: Sjoeke Nusken scores twice as WSL champions easily defeat their opponents in a Champions League match.

Chelsea took a huge step towards the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League with a resounding 3-0 victory over Ajax in the first leg of their quarter-final clash. The dynamic duo of Lauren James and Sjoeke Nusken, who were instrumental in defeating Arsenal in the WSL just a few days ago, once again proved their worth in Amsterdam.

It was James who broke the deadlock, finding the back of the net in the 20th minute. Initially, she believed she was offside, but VAR confirmed that she was onside, much to her delight.

Nusken, who had been on a goal drought for nearly four months, continued her remarkable form by scoring twice in this match. In just five days, she has now netted four goals, showcasing her immense talent.

Nusken’s impact on the game was not limited to scoring goals. In a twist of fate, she unintentionally caused Guro Reiten’s goal to be disallowed just before half-time. However, she quickly made amends by converting Reiten’s excellent cross into a goal, further extending Chelsea’s lead.

Despite a promising start from a young Ajax side, with their all-time leading goalscorer Romee Leuchter hitting the post early on, Chelsea’s second goal came at a crucial moment and deflated their opponents. The Blues then expertly controlled the game in the second half, never needing to reach their full potential. The only lingering question was whether they would add more goals to their tally.

That question was answered emphatically by Nusken, who scored a powerful header from substitute Catarina Macario’s cross. Her goal sealed a comprehensive victory for Chelsea and put them in a commanding position heading into the second leg.

With one foot already in the semi-finals, Chelsea can be proud of their performance in Amsterdam. Their attacking prowess, led by the lethal partnership of James and Nusken, proved too much for Ajax to handle. The Blues will now look to finish the job in the return leg and secure their place in the next round of the Women’s Champions League.