Chelsea thrash Djurgården 4-1, Betis edge Fiorentina in Conference League Semis

Chelsea took a significant step towards reaching their first UEFA Europa Conference League final with a commanding 4-1 win over Swedish outfit Djurgården in the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday evening.

The London side asserted their dominance early, with Jadon Sancho opening the scoring in the 12th minute after latching onto a lofted pass and finishing coolly. Their advantage doubled shortly after when Djurgården defender Marcus Danielson turned the ball into his own net under pressure. Chelsea, gradually adjusting to the artificial pitch in Stockholm, added a third just before the interval, as Noni Madueke produced a sharp finish at the near post.

Following the break, Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson took centre stage, netting twice in quick succession, first slotting home from close range following a defensive lapse, then rifling in a left-footed effort from the edge of the area.

Djurgården grabbed a late consolation through teenage forward Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta, who headed home his first senior goal. Despite the scoreline, the Swedish side made history by becoming the first club from their country to reach a European semi-final since the 1986/87 season, fielding only 14 senior players due to a spate of injuries.

Meanwhile, in the other semi-final tie, Real Betis edged past Fiorentina 2-1 in Seville. Abde Ezzalzouli broke the deadlock for the Spanish hosts with a thunderous strike that cannoned in off the crossbar. Antony then doubled the lead with a long-range effort in the 64th minute. Fiorentina responded late through Luca Ranieri, whose goal ensures a tense second leg in Italy.

Both return legs are scheduled for next Thursday.