At 1:45 a.m. Beijing time on March 7, the Round of 16 matches of the 2024/25 Europa Conference League officially kicked off. Chelsea traveled away to face Danish Superliga powerhouse Copenhagen. After a fierce 90 - minute battle, Chelsea defeated Copenhagen 2 - 1 thanks to goals from Reece James and Enzo in the second half, taking the lead in the two - leg knockout tie.
Right from the start of the game, Copenhagen showed their aggression as the home team. In the 4th minute, Copenhagen launched a smooth attack in the front court. Claesson shot at the edge of the penalty area, but the shot was too straight and was firmly caught by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
In the 25th minute, Chelsea suffered an injury blow. Right - back Gusto fell to the ground after a confrontation and couldn't continue the game after a brief treatment. He was replaced by Cucurella. This unexpected adjustment also affected Chelsea's attack on the right - hand side.
As the game progressed, Copenhagen gradually found their attacking rhythm. In the 41st minute, Copenhagen's midfielder sent an accurate through - ball. Claesson sprinted into the penalty area at high speed and shot from a narrow angle. The ball hit the post and bounced out, and Chelsea escaped a bullet.
At the end of the first half, neither side managed to break the deadlock, and Chelsea drew 0 - 0 with Copenhagen away from home.
After the break, Chelsea scored a lightning goal. In the 46th minute, the Blues launched an attack from the left. Cucurella made a cross after advancing, and Copenhagen's defender failed to clear the ball far enough. Reece James volleyed the ball from outside the large penalty area, and the ball went straight into the corner of the goal. Chelsea took a 1 - 0 lead.
This goal greatly boosted Chelsea's morale, and they sought to further expand their advantage. In the 65th minute, Chelsea launched another sharp attack. Nkunku received the ball on the left and sent a low cross. George quickly followed up and made a back - pass in a triangular formation. Enzo volleyed the ball towards the bottom - left corner of the goal, and Chelsea led 2 - 0.
Despite being two goals down, Copenhagen didn't give up. The home team launched an all - out counter - attack in the final stage. In the 80th minute, Copenhagen got a free - kick on the left side of the front court. The free - kick was accurately delivered into the penalty area, and Gabriel jumped high and headed the ball into the net, narrowing the score to 1 - 2.
Finally, when the referee blew the final whistle, Chelsea defeated Copenhagen 2 - 1 away from home, taking the lead in the first leg of the Europa Conference League Round of 16.
Line - ups:
Chelsea (4 - 2 - 3 - 1): 1 - Robert Sanchez / 4 - Adarabioyo, 5 - Badiashile, 23 - Trevoh Chalobah, 22 - Dewsbury - Hall / 24 - Reece James, 25 - Moises Caicedo / 27 - Gusto, 32 - Tyrique George, 76 - Muheca / 20 - Palmer
Copenhagen (4 - 4 - 1 - 1): 41 - Ramai / 2 - Kevin Diks, 5 - Gabriel Pereira, 6 - Hajdiyacos, 24 - Mellin / 17 - Froholt, 36 - Clem, 7 - Claesson, 22 - Gorgodzeishvili / 30 - Ashuri / 19 - Kiyaka
