In a thrilling demonstration of young energy, Chelsea’s up-and-coming players defeated Astana 3-1 on Thursday in the UEFA Conference League, extending their winning streak to three games. Early in the first half, 18-year-old sensation Marc Guiu grabbed headlines by scoring two goals in a short five-minute period.
With a spectacular solo effort in the fourteenth minute, Guiu opened the score and displayed his extraordinary talent and speed. In the bitter cold of Kazakhstan’s capital, he promptly followed it up by connecting with a precise cross from Pedro Neto’s right side, showcasing his striking ability even further.
Guiu is one of the most exciting possibilities in English football, as evidenced by the fact that this game marks his third goal in the competition since his transfer from Chelsea earlier this summer.
Renato Veiga, 21, added to the scoreline by skillfully heading the ball home from a corner to give Chelsea a resounding 3-0 advantage. But soon before halftime, Marin Tomasov gave the home team a goal, giving them a fleeting reprieve from Chelsea’s hegemony.
The depth of Chelsea’s roster was demonstrated by the fact that Pedro Neto was the only player kept from the team that won an exciting 4-3 victory in the Premier League two days before.
With its most recent win, Chelsea leads the third-tier competition’s rankings with 15 points overall and one group-stage match left.
A different game earlier in the day saw Swedish team Djurgarden defeat Vikingur 2-1 in Iceland.
Fans can expect more thrilling matches later on Thursday, including the Europa League games in the second division. Highlights include Manchester United’s match against Viktoria Plzen and their difficult match against Tottenham.
