Chelsea secured their place in the Uefa Conference League last-16 with a fine display in Kazakhstan as they defeated Astana 3-1 away from home.
After victories in their firsr four matches in this competition, Enzo Maresca decided to leave the bulk of his first team squad in London and handed debuts to promising youngster including Josh Acheampong.
One of the young stars to benefit was Marc Guiu who netted twice in the first half as a dominant Chelsea cruised into the lead. A third goal from Renato Veiga put the match beyond doubt despite Marin Tomasov pulling one back for the hosts.
Astana were more of a threat throughout the second half but Chelsea controlled possession well and limited opportunities for them to score. The whistle went at 3-1 and the Blues come away with another crucial three points.
Relive the updates from the Conference League in our live blog below:
Astana v Chelsea - Conference League 2024/25
- Astana beaten by Chelsea in the Uefa Conference League
- 45’ GOAL! Tomasov pulls one back for Astana (AST 1-3 CHE)
- 39’ GOAL! Veiga nods in a third for the Blues (AST 0-3 CHE)
- 18’ GOAL! Chelsea double their lead with a second goal for Guiu (AST 0-2 CHE)
- 14’ GOAL! Guiu pokes Chelsea into lead (AST 0-1 CHE)
Full-time! Astana 1-3 Chelsea
17:23 , Mike Jones90+2 mins: There goes the full time whistle. Chelsea have the three points and another win in the Uefa Conference League. That makes it five wins from five in this competition.
A good evening for Enzo Maresca’s men who have qualified for the last-16. They’ll enter the knockout rounds in March after playing one more league game with no pressure.
They remain top of the table.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
17:19 , Mike Jones90 mins: Two minutes of added time to play.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
17:13 , Mike Jones84 mins: Chelsea are set to keep their 100% record in this competition as the full-time whistle draws closer. They’ll remain top of the table and will qualify for the automatic spots in the round of 16.
A job well done if they can get over the line.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
17:11 , Mike Jones81 mins: Inside the final 10 minutes now. Astana have stepped things up following their goal at the end of the first half. Chelsea have had a few moments in front of goal but they’ve been fewer and not as simple as the goals that were scored in the first half.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
17:08 , Mike Jones78 mins: Enzoe Maresca will be pleased with what he’s seen tonight. He team got the work done in the first 45 minutes and have managed the second half well enough.
75mins: Quarter of an hour left to play here. Chelsea in control as Astana’s energy levels are seemingly dropping off.
Tyrique George shoots again from range but again finds the goalkeeper.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:59 , Mike Jones69 mins: Close! Veiga sends the ball out wide to George who dances into the penalty area. He sends a decent pass across goal where substitute Harvey Vale is arriving.
Vale wants to shoot but Astana manage to clear their lines.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:55 , Mike Jones66 mins: Chelsea haven’t had as much time to decide what to do with the ball. Astana are pressing them more but the young team have risen to the challenge and are asserting their control on the game again.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:52 , Mike Jones63 mins: Tyrique George wants a goal. Twice in as many minutes he troubles the goalkeeper from the left side of the box but neither effort manages to get past Mukhammejan Seisen.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:49 , Mike Jones60 mins: Branimir Kalaica picks up the ball inside Chelsea’s half and drives on towards goal. He’s a long way out but the home fans ecourage him to shoot so he does.
The effort is blocked without issue.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:48 , Mike Jones57 mins: Astana have decided to give it a go. They might be able to get themselves back into the match but surely there’ll be space opening up for Chelsea to exploit.
The youngsters need to manage the game well from here.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:46 , Mike Jones54 mins: Astana have offered more threat in the second half and look a lot more alert and intent to push high up the pitch. This is more of a test for Chelsea and another goal for the host could swing the momentum.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:44 , Mike Jones51 mins: Tomasov blazes another shot from range and forces a fine one-handed save from Filip Jorgensen who pushes the ball wide of the target.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:36 , Mike Jones48 mins: Enzo Maresca has made a change at the break and Pedro Neto is replaced with 18-year-old Ato Ampah. Chelsea’s average age for this team drops again.
Second half! Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:34 , Mike JonesThe hosts kick off the second half with a desire to get themselves back in this match. Can they do so or with Chelsea run away with things?
HT Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:24 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Astana 1-3 Chelsea
16:18 , Mike Jones45+2 mins: There’s the whistle for half-time. Chelsea are controlled and composed. The Blues are on their way to securing an automatic qualifying spot in the Conference League.
GOAL! Astana 1-3 Chelsea (Marin Tomasov, 45’)
16:16 , Mike JonesOut of nowhere!
Astana’s best period of the half comes just before the break. They work it over to the right side of the pitch before feeding it to Marin Tomasov.
He cuts inside of Renato Veiga then fizzes an effort at goal and beat Filip Jorgensen.
Astana 0-3 Chelsea
16:14 , Mike Jones42 mins: Very professional and very controlled from Chelsea. Astana haven’t played for a couple of weeks and it shows. They’re off the pace and it’s only towards the back end of this half that they’ve shown a bit of intensity in possession.
GOAL! Astana 0-3 Chelsea (Renato Veiga, 39’)
16:11 , Mike JonesRenato Veiga gets on the scoresheet. This one is as easy as you like.
From a corner Veiga drifts into the middle of the box and leaps higher than anyone else. He wins the header and powers it into the back of the net.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
16:09 , Mike Jones39 mins: Chelsea youngsters seem right at home on this stage. The Conference League is a perfect opportunity for them to get a feel for the first team.
Astana are trying to punch back. Chineda gets another sight at goal as he arrives in the box from the left. He shoots first time and sends the ball straight into the hands of Filip Jorgensen.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
16:06 , Mike Jones36 mins: Oh hello, maybe they do?
A quick counter attack sees the hosts force Chelsea to back track. The ball is sent up to Chinedu who has a lot of space ahead of him. He decides to unleash a shot but mishits it and lifts the ball very high and very wide.
He sighs in frustration at his own effort.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
16:03 , Mike Jones33 mins: Chelsea’s dominance continues. Watching this game feels as though Chelsea are picking their moments to attack and score goals.
Their build-up is slow but controlled and Astana don’t have an answer.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
16:00 , Mike Jones30 mins: Marc Guiu is clattered and stays on the deck after taking a knock to the knee from Aleksa Amanovic. The Astana midfielder is booked and Guiu needs to run the pain off, especially in this cold weather.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
15:58 , Mike Jones27 mins: Close!
Pedro Neto works the ball onto his left foot and lifts a cross over to the back post. Renato Veiga makes a deep run the looks to turn the half-volley effort in at the near post.
He doesn’t catch it right and the ball is lofted high.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
15:56 , Mike Jones25 mins: There’s no escape for Astana. Chelsea are forcing them to defend deeper and deeper and when the ball is booted long the visitors win it back quickly and keep up their momentum.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
15:55 , Mike Jones22 mins: Marc Guiu has been awarded the second Chelsea goal after Uefa scanned the replays of it. Apparantly if hit him last before going in.
The youngster will be pleased with that outcome.
GOAL! Astana 0-2 Chelsea (Marc Guiu, 18’)
15:51 , Mike JonesAnother one!
Pedro Neto makes it with an injection in pace on the right wing and dances into the box. He laces a pass across the face of goal and forces the keeper to push it away.
He deflects it into the path of Aleksandr Marchokin and the ball bounces off the defender’s back onto Marc Guic and into the back of the net.
Astana 0-1 Chelsea
15:49 , Mike Jones17 mins: Chelsea have the goal they wanted and they’re being allowed to stroll around the midfield without too much trouble. Now that they’ve settled, Chelsea could notch up a big score here.
GOAL! Astana 0-1 Chelsea (Marc Guiu, 14’)
15:46 , Mike JonesIt didn’t take long!
Marc Guiu receives the ball on the right wing and decides to go it alone. He takes on the nearest defender and sweeps around the outside before darting into the box and poking a fine shot past the goalkeeper.
Chelsea lead.
Astana 0-0 Chelsea
15:44 , Mike Jones12 mins: There’s a penalty check taking place after Carney Chukwuemeka is taken out inside the Astana penalty area. Nothing comes from it though.
Neto then sweeps forward on the right and digs out a cross but Yan Vorogovskiy is on hand to clear the danger.
Astana 0-0 Chelsea
15:40 , Mike Jones9 mins: Chance!
That’s a fine pass from Josh Acheampong to thread Pedro Neto in behind the Astana left-back. Neto cuts into the box, gets into space and then shoots.
The effort is low and heading for the near post but Mukhammejan Seisen drops down and smothers the ball.
Astana 0-0 Chelsea
15:38 , Mike Jones6 mins: Astana have one of the worst expected goals against in the entire competition so Chelsea should be confident of securing a big win today.
Enzo Maresca’s team are trying to find their feet and get used to these unusually conditions. Samuel Rak-Sakyi is brought down in the middle of the pitch and Chelsea win a free kick.
Astana 0-0 Chelsea
15:36 , Mike Jones3 mins: There are a lot of gloves on display as the game itself begins to heat up. Geoffrey Charles Chinedu bombs down the left wing and recovers a long ball.
The host work it over to the opposite side of the pitch where Marin Tomasov dinks the ball into the box and fizzes one over the top.
Kick off! Astana 0-0 Chelsea
15:31 , Mike JonesChelsea get the ball rolling with their breaths visible in the cold air. They’ll want to get warmed up quickly so expect a quick tempo to start with.
The Blues look to keep the ball around the defence and draw out the home side.
Astana vs Chelsea
15:26 , Mike JonesHere come the teams.
The players head out onto the pitch in cold, frosty conditions. Enzo Maresca has named an inexperienced team for the most part but the are some leaders on the pitch including captain for this evening Axel Disasi.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka will be hoping to impress as well. Can the Blues come away with a win?
Let’s find out, kick off is up next...
Astana vs Chelsea
15:25 , Jack RathbornChelsea have never previously won all six opening-stage matches in a European competition. The closest wthey have come to perfection was five wins and one draw in Group L of the 2018/19 Europa League.
They went on to win the competition that year.
New Chelsea signing Estevao reveals Cole Palmer talks and preferred position
15:20 , Mike JonesNew Chelsea signing Estevao Willian has revealed that he and Cole Palmer have been chatting over Instagram as the 17-year-old Brazilian prepares to move to London in July.
Estevao will join Enzo Maresca’s side from Palmeiras in the summer after agreeing to sign for the London club last summer.
The teenager has enjoyed an excellent season in South America, scoring 15 times in all competitions and earning his first international call-up.
New Chelsea signing Estevao reveals Cole Palmer talks and preferred position
Pre-match thoughts from Enzo Maresca
15:15 , Mike JonesThe Chelsea boss said: “Just two teams have conceded less than us, so we are attacking and defending well.
“I’ve said before, you’re not going to win games or titles just scoring goals, you need to defend, but even conceding three goals (against Tottenham), just two clubs have conceded more than us so it means defensively we are doing quite well.”
‘We’ve been waiting for this game'
15:10 , Mike JonesAstana defender Abzal Beisebekov said: “We have been waiting for this game for a long time and have prepared thoroughly. We are 100% confident in our abilities and believe we can achieve a good result.”
Pre-match throughts from Grigoriy Babayan
15:05 , Mike JonesAstana coach Grigoriy Babayan said: “We are playing against one of the best teams in Europe.
“They showcase some of the finest football in the Premier League and they are at the top with maximum points and goals in the Conference League.
“A team of this calibre are coming to Almaty for the first time, it’s a great moment for Almaty and Kazakhstan.”
Astana v Chelsea
15:00 , Jack Rathborn
Disasi on the cold temperatures
14:52 , Mike JonesWhen asked about the cold temperatures expected for tonight’s match Axel Disasi said: “We just have to put on two pairs of gloves and be ready to compete in these conditions.
“We all know the conditions of these games, it’s eight hour flight and minus 11, so download some movies to watch on the plane, be ready to fight and keep first place.”
Maresca on Chelsea’s long trip to Astana
14:45 , Mike Jones“Eight hours [one way] is not a normal time [to travel] for a game, but we have to go there, we have to play and we want to try to do our best, thinking also about the next game,” said Enzo Maresca ahead of this match.
Chelsea are currently top of the Conference League table with four wins from four and have taken a bunch of youngsters with them for this trip.
Astana strong domestically
14:39 , Mike JonesAstana have a very strong domestic record. They finished the league season in second place last month ending the campaign just one point behind eventual winners Kairat.
With temperatures tilting below freezing, Grigoriy Babayan’s team then lifted the League Cup by beating Jenis 2-0 and now they are looking to progress further in European competition.
Chelsea top of the table
14:33 , Mike JonesAs expected Chelsea are sitting at the top of the Conference League table. They have won all four of their matches so far and have 12 points from an available 12 with a goal difference of +15.
Astana vs Chelsea
14:32 , Jack RathbornAstana XI: Seisen, Bartolec, Kalaica, Kazukolovas, Vorogovskiy, Ebonh, Chinedu, Tomasov, Marochkin, Camara, Amanovic
Bench: Zarutskiy, Condric, Bystrov, Kuat, Ahanonu, Beisebekov, Osei, Astanov, Basmanov, Gripshi, Karimov, Zhaksylyk
Cold temperatures expected
14:27 , Mike JonesAbout three hours before kick off the temperature around the ground was five degrees below zero. By the time the game gets underway that is expected to dip to nearer -10 which means both teams will have to adapt to the conditions as well as each other.
An added layer of difficulty for Chelsea.
Astana vs Chelsea
14:20 , Jamie BraidwoodStarts for Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George and Samuel Rak-Sakyi in Astana.
Astana vs Chelsea
14:19 , Jack RathbornChelsea team to play Astana:
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Disasi, Tosin, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Rak-Sakyi, George, Chukwuemeka, Neto, Guiu
Bench: Bergstrom, Merrick, Dyer, Vale, Olise, Ampah, Murray-Campbell, Wilson, Mheuka
Astana vs Chelsea
14:10 , Mike JonesA third-successive away victory would record Chelsea’s best return in Europe since five wins on the road in a row on the way to winning the Champions League in 2020/21.
Will Mudryk impress?
14:04 , Mike JonesMykhailo Mudryk has hit three goals and matched that with assists in the Conference League this term, but he was ill at the weekend and missed the win over Tottenham.
Chelsea’s consistency
13:58 , Mike JonesChelsea have started six players in every Conference League game with those being: Jorgensen, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Renato Veiga, Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku.
The latter has scored in each of his starts in this competition (7 goals, 2 assists).
Jadon Sancho is turning into one of the signings of the season under Enzo Maresca’s care at Chelsea
13:52 , Mike JonesDerby day provided a timely reminder of a certain talent that resides within Chelsea’s attacking ranks.
An occasion that always promises its fair share of thrills and spills, the Blues showcased their powers of recovery to overcome a two-goal deficit and come out 4-3 victors away to fierce London rivals Tottenham.
As “Tottenham Hotspur, it’s happened again” rang out from the away end, Enzo Maresca revelled in his biggest win yet as Chelsea boss, which propelled his side to second in the league and extended their unbeaten run to eight in all competitions.
Jadon Sancho is turning into one of the signings of the season under Enzo Maresca
Chelsea’s travelling squad for Astana
13:46 , Mike JonesGoalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom, Max Merrick
Defenders: Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Josh Acheampong, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Richard Olise, Kaiden Wilson
Midfielders: Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Kiano Dyer, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Harvey Vale
Forwards: Pedro Neto, Ato Ampah, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Shumaira Mheuka
Chelsea hoping to keep 100% record intact
13:40 , Mike JonesChelsea hope to keep their 100 per cent record in the Conference League phase intact.
Legia Warsaw are the only other team to have won four from four and a victory over Astana secure a place in the Round of 16 for the Blues.
Astana vs Chelsea
13:34 , Mike JonesThis is the first-ever match between Chelsea and any club from Kazakhstan. Astana’s only match-up with English opponents, meanwhile, came in the 2019 Europa League group stage against Manchester United.
They lost 1-0 at Old Trafford but came from behind on their own 4G pitch to beat a very young Red Devils side 2-1.
An eight-hour flight for Chelsea
13:28 , Mike JonesAccording to club historians, never before have Chelsea travelled so far to play in a European competition.
An eight-hour direct flight from London, the fixture is 1,000 miles further east than Baku, where they triumphed in a resounding 2019 Europa League final victory over Arsenal.
Will Acheampong make his full Chelsea debut?
13:22 , Mike Jones“Probably, yes,” said Enzo Maresca when asked if he intends to hand out any debuts to younger players in Kazakhstan.
“He’s in the squad, probably he’ll play from the start. With Josh, it’s clear, we all love Josh. The club loves Josh, I love Josh, we are trying to find an agreement with the player, we are close, we are almost there. We’ll see.”
Chelsea’s long-trip
13:16 , Mike JonesChelsea’s penultimate match of the Uefa Conference League league phase requires a 7,000-mile round-trip to Almaty, where the Blues aim to end Astana’s 13-game unbeaten home run in all competitions.
Enzo Maresca confirms full debut for Chelsea starlet after breakthrough in contract talks
13:10 , Mike JonesEnzo Maresca is ready to hand a full debut to Chelsea starlet Josh Acheampong after revealing progress in contract talks between the player and the club.
The 18-year-old is one of the most highly-rated talents coming out of the Cobham, though the defender has played just once this season amid uncertainty over his future.
Enzo Maresca confirms full debut for Chelsea starlet after contract talks
Astana vs Chelsea predicted line-ups
13:04 , Mike JonesEnzo Maresca should utilise his huge squad and make a heap of changes for this game with Chelsea the heavy favourites to go on and win. Here’s how we see the two teams lining-up today:
Astana XI: Condric; Bartolec, Kazukolovas, Kalaica, Vorogovskiy; Ebong, Amanovic; Tomasov, Gripshi, Camara; Geoffrey.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Dyer; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Nkunku; Guiu.
Early team news
12:58 , Mike JonesAstana have not played for nearly a fortnight and are not thought to have any fresh injury concerns.
Enzo Maresca has spared most of his squad the trip to Kazakhstan, with Chelsea set to have a youthful look. Josh Acheampong is set to start while Ato Ampah, Harrison McMahon, Kaiden Wilson, Richard Olise and Harrison Murray-Campbell are among others to have travelled hoping for an opportunity.
How can I watch it?
12:52 , Mike JonesViewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage from 3pm GMT. Subscribers can stream via discovery+.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
When is Astana vs Chelsea?
12:46 , Mike JonesAstana vs Chelsea is due to kick off at 3.30pm GMT at the Almaty Central Stadium, which is being used with Astana’s regular ground under renovation.
Astana vs Chelsea
12:40 , Mike JonesA long trip to Kazakhstan represents gruelling midweek business for Chelsea as they continue their Conference League campaign with a fixture against Astana.
A strong start to the Premier League season under Enzo Maresca continued with a comeback win at Tottenham on Sunday to leave Chelsea second and trailing Liverpool, who have played one game fewer, by four points.
Things are going smoothly in the tertiary European competition, too, with Maresca’s side atop the standings with four wins from four.
A heavily-rotated side is expected to be named for this meeting with Astana, who have one win so far in the Conference League and need a strong finish to assure themselves a place in the knockout rounds.
Is Astana v Chelsea on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Conference League fixture
09:53 , Jack RathbornA long trip to Kazakhstan represents gruelling midweek business for Chelsea as they continue their Conference League campaign with a fixture against Astana.
A strong start to the Premier League season under Enzo Maresca continued with a comeback win at Tottenham on Sunday to leave Chelsea second and trailing Liverpool, who have played one game fewer, by four points.
Things are going smoothly in the tertiary European competition, too, with Maresca’s side atop the standings with four wins from four.
A heavily-rotated side is expected to be named for this meeting with Astana, who have one win so far in the Conference League and need a strong finish to assure themselves a place in the knockout rounds.
Is Astana v Chelsea on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Conference League
Astana v Chelsea - Conference League
09:52 , Jack RathbornWelcome to the Independent’s live coverage of Astana vs Chelsea in the Conference League.
The long trip to Almaty poses a problem for Enzo Maresca as he navigates a blossoming title challenge in the Premier League, with the return trip in time for Sunday night’s contest against Brentford.
Maresca has opted to leave most of his first team players behind in London and intends to hand out a number of debuts to the next generation coming out of the Cobham academy.
Follow all the latest build-up and updates from a freezing Almaty, with temperatures set to plummet to -10c.
