Teenage forward Marc Guiu was the star of the show, scoring a brace to give Chelsea an early advantage. The Spaniard opened the scoring in the 14th minute after showing excellent composure in the penalty area. Guiu collected the ball on the right side of the box, skillfully evaded an Astana defender, and placed a clinical shot past goalkeeper Mukhammedzhan Seysen to give Chelsea the lead.
Guiu doubled his tally just minutes later, capitalizing on a dangerous cross from Pedro Neto. The young forward was in the right place at the right time, getting the final touch to put Chelsea 2-0 up.
Chelsea’s dominance continued before the break when Renato Veiga added a third, heading home a perfectly delivered corner from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. At 3-0 up, it seemed the Blues were cruising towards a comfortable victory, but Astana refused to go down without a fight.
The hosts responded with a goal early in the second half through Marin Tomasov, which briefly threatened to spark a comeback. However, despite their improved play, Astana was unable to find a second goal, and Chelsea held firm to secure the 3-1 win.
The victory was even more impressive given that Chelsea featured three debutants on the night, showcasing the depth and potential of their young squad. The result guarantees Chelsea’s progression to the Round of 16 in the Conference League, with their performance in Kazakhstan likely to be remembered as a milestone in the club's European campaign.
For the Chelsea supporters who made the long trip to Almaty, the victory will surely be a cherished memory. With a strong team performance and standout individual displays, the Blues can now look forward to the next stage of the competition with confidence.
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