Chelsea’s youthful squad thrashed Ajax 5-1 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, while also becoming the first team ever in the competition’s history to have three separate teenage scorers in one game.
Under a downpour yet with steely intent, the hosts dominated from the opening minute and left the Dutch giants in ruins.
The devastation began when Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor was shown a red card for a reckless challenge in the 17th minute, and just 61 seconds later 19-year-old Marc Guiu pounced to open the scoring.
Moments after the opener, Moisés Caicedo smashed home from distance to double the advantage, and three frantic first-half penalties followed.
One was converted by Wout Weghorst for Ajax, but Chelsea responded with Enzo Fernández and 18-year-old Estêvão Willian stepping up to net the next two. With a 4-1 lead at half-time, the outcome had been sealed.
Youth revolution triumphs while Ajax collapse
Just three minutes after the restart, another teenager—19-year-old substitute Tyrique George—added the fifth goal, completing the trio of teenage scorers and confirming Chelsea’s place in history.
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Additionally, 17-year-old Reggie Walsh entered the pitch to become the club’s youngest ever Champions League player. Meanwhile, Ajax looked shell-shocked: out-muscled, out-paced and undone by indiscipline. Their age-old academy reputation now clashed with their present-day fragility.
Chelsea’s starting XI averaged merely 22 years and 163 days. This ensured the side became the second-youngest ever squad fielded by an English club in the competition.
Manager Enzo Maresca’s bold selection, alongside complete control of the match, showed that the Blues are no longer just talking about youth—they’re living it. In contrast, Ajax remain bottom of the group phase table, after losing all three games in the competition this season, off the pace and in serious trouble.
Chelsea had to combine youth, opportunity and ruthless execution to secure the huge victory. They were fearless, sharp and overwhelming. And while Ajax were once fixtures of European dominance, they now appear past their prime and disconnected from their own legacy.
On this night, the teenagers gave fans hope that Chelsea’s future, for once, felt very, very bright again.
Tags: Chelsea, Ajax, #CFC, #UCL, Champions League, #CHEAJA, Reggie Walsh, Enzo Fernández, Caicedo, Marc Guiu, Tyrique George, Estêvão Willian, Wout Weghorst.
