Chelsea have qualified for the quarter-finals of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League with a 4-0 win over Vllaznia at the Loro Boriçi Stadium this evening.
Sophie Ingle and Fran Kirby were on target in the first half while Kateřina Svitková and Maren Mjelde netted late on in the second period as The Blues eased into the last-eight of European football’s premier club competition.
Chelsea dominated the early stages and they took the lead after just 12 minutes when a low ball across the box fell to Ingle who produced a clinical finish.
Guro Reiten then saw a shot saved by home keeper Kaylin Conner Williams-Mosier before Chelsea doubled their lead in controversial circumstances when a quick free-kick found Kirby in acres of space and she was able to drill the ball into the far corner of the Vllaznia net.
The Blues should have gone into the break three goals to the good but Aniek Nouwen could only head an effort straight at Williams-Mosier from a corner kick.
Chelsea were dominant once again in the second period but it took them a long time to make the breakthrough and add a third goal. Sam Kerr thought that she had made it three midway through the half but she netted from an offside position.
Kerr went close again later in the half before substitute Svitková diverted the ball into the net from a Jelena Čanković delivery to finally make it 3-0 late in the game.
Chelsea were awarded a penalty in second half injury time and Mjelde was able to convert from 12 yards as The Blues ended the game 4-0 winners.
With qualification now in the bag, Emma Hayes’ side will look ahead to next week’s final UEFA Women’s Champions League group game against Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge.