SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
We saw changes from both teams at the break.
18 year old Ato Ampah is on for his Chelsea debut, replacing Pedro Neto.
Barnes Osei came on for Aleksa Amanovic for hosts Astana.
Summary
Chelsea cruise to win against Astana to seal spot in Conference League last 16
Victory in Kazakhstan maintains Blues' 100% record in competition
Guiu stars in dominant win for Chelsea side showing 10 changes
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time
KICK-OFFpublished at 16:35 Greenwich Mean Time
The ball is back rolling in Almaty.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time
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I am fed up of this argument of Chelsea being too good for the Conference League! If it was the Chelsea of last season that got into this competition, at the beginning of last season we might have struggled against a few of these teams! It’s not our fault that we have stepped up our game and are playing well! Can’t just put us into the Champions League now because we are playing better, people need to chill.
Spencer
Postpublished at 16:30 Greenwich Mean Time
HT: Astana 1-3 Chelsea
Before this game Chelsea had three players in the top six of the Europa Conference League goalscorers chart this season.
Christopher Nkunku was leading the way with five goals, followed by Joao Felix on four, and and Mykhailo Mudryk had three.
With none of those players involved tonight and Marc Guiu having already scored two in the first half, the youngster could feasibly overtake one or two of them in the second half.
'Guiu must've watched Suarez'published at 16:27 Greenwich Mean Time
HT: Astana 1-3 Chelsea
Joe Cole
Ex-Chelsea and England midfielder on TNT Sports
Image source, ReutersMarc Guiu must have watched Luis Suarez as a young man at Barcelona.
He was a thorn in the side throughout for Astana in that first half. He was direct and the first goal was exquisite from the young man.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time
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Watching this as a City fan, I’m quite looking forward to how we get on in the Conference League next season. If we’re lucky.
Alex
HALF-TIMEpublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
Image source, ReutersChelsea well on their way to five wins from five in the league phase thanks to a Marc Guiu brace and a header from Renato Veiga.
Though that goal for Astana will give Enzo Maresca something to think about at the break.
'First bit of pressure from Astana'published at 16:18 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on TNT SportsIt was the first real bit of concerted pressure Astana have had in this game.
We talk about Chelsea scoring goals, but they also have a reputation of not keeping clean sheets.
GOAL - Astana 1-3 Chelseapublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time
Marin Tomasov ( 45 +1 mins)
Astana have one back.
Captain Marin Tomasov steps inside a loose challenge from Renato Veiga in the box and curls a left footed finish in off the far post.
Game on?
Postpublished at 16:16 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 0-3 Chelsea
Astana are just enjoying their first real spell of possession in the Chelsea half as the half time whistle approaches.
There are several half hearted appeals for a penalty but Ousmane Camera went down too easily for the referee's liking.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time
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Image source, ReutersIs Renato Veiga wearing a miniature version of the infamous and much maligned snood? I thought they were still banned? Rooney and Tevez want their fashion back!
Shaun
He is indeed, Shaun.
Speaking of winter fashion on display this evening, Astana stopper Mukhammedzhan Seysen is donning a black beanie hat.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time
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I do agree Chelsea are too good for the Conference League. However, with the large squad that they have, these young lads are really going to give Maresca a selection headache. They have been so impressive in this tournament. Excellent management from Maresca. Gives these boys a chance to prove themselves on a European stage. His squad rotation has been really impressive, and the result is clear for all to see.
Dan H
'Far too easy for Chelsea'published at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 0-3 Chelsea
Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on TNT SportsIt's far too easy for Chelsea at the moment and they are certainly not complaining. They have controlled this game and they are now 3-0 up.
Astana haven't been the best in terms of defending. Chelsea have been allowed to play the way they like.
GOAL - Astana 0-3 Chelseapublished at 16:11 Greenwich Mean Time
Renato Veiga (39 mins)
Image source, ReutersRenato Veiga rises highest in the box to nod home a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall corner before kissing the ice in celebration.
It's far, far too easy for Chelsea.
Postpublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
Josh Acheampong sets off on a maruading run past several Astana defenders before getting a shot off just inside the box.
It is blocked at the last by a sliding challenge but what a goal that nearly was by the young full back.
'Chelsea doing it right'published at 16:08 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on TNT SportsChelsea are doing things right. They are being professional. They are comfortable in possession.
This competition has been really useful for the fringe players at the club. The pathway to the first team is always there and that is why you see these players performing well in these matches.
Postpublished at 16:08 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
Filip Jorgensen is pushed into making his first save of the night.
Geoffrey Chinedu's shot is better aimed this time and the Chelsea stopper is forced to parry up to his right before catching the ball on his goal line.
Postpublished at 16:07 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
Image source, ReutersAstana just can't match the higher fitness levels of Chelsea.
The Kazakhstan League concluded a number of weeks ago now, and 35 or so minutes in the home side look a little short of energy.
Postpublished at 16:04 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
A rare foray forward for Astana results in a shot from Geoffrey Chinedu.
He rushes the effort though and it flies way over the Chelsea crossbar.
'Veiga looks comfortable'published at 16:03 Greenwich Mean Time
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on TNT SportsRenato Veiga looks comfortable all over the pitch and he's got some good minutes on the pitch as well this season.
Marc Guiu also scored against FC Noah in this competition on 7 November
Former Barcelona youngster Marc Guiu caught the eye as he helped fire Chelsea into the knockout stage of the Uefa Conference League with victory against Astana in Kazakhstan.
The Blues had made the 3,600-mile trip to Almaty for the game, which was played in difficult conditions including temperatures of -11C.
But it did not stop the much-changed Chelsea line-up from securing a comfortable win, getting the job done with three first-half goals.
Spanish youth international Guiu, 18, was one of a number of youngsters given the chance to impress and he did just that by opening the scoring in the 14th minute, embarking on an impressive solo run before slotting in.
His shot four minutes later from Pedro Neto's cross was then helped over the line by Aleksandr Marochkin to put the Blues in control.
Renato Veiga added a third shortly before the break with a header for his second goal of the season.
Marin Tomasov produced a moment of magic on the stroke of half-time to send the Astana fans wild, cutting inside before smashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
The tempo dropped in the second half, with Chelsea managing the game rather than pushing for more goals.
The win means they remain top in the league phase of the Conference League with 15 points from five games.
They will conclude this stage of the competition against Irish side Shamrock Rovers on 19 December.
Chelsea fringe players impress in freezing conditions
This was Chelsea's longest-ever European trip involving a 7,000-mile round journey travelling through five different time zones.
The eight hours of travel to Kazakhstan, coupled with freezing temperatures, posed a different challenge for the Blues' players but they adapted well to secure a comfortable victory that maintains their impressive form so far in Europe.
Their five wins equalled a club record in European football, having won five and drawn one of their six Europa League group stage games in 2018-19.
With Chelsea playing a game every three or four days in December, Blues boss Enzo Maresca appears to be reaping the rewards of being able to rotate his squad.
They made 10 changes for this game, with only Neto retaining his place from the side that beat Tottenham at the weekend, and he played his part in the first two goals.
But the fringe players showed the desire to impress that Maresca will have wanted to see as he looks to navigate through a busy period for his side.
Aside from Guiu, winger Tyrique George and defender Josh Acheampong - both 18 - and 19-year-old midfielder Samuel Rak-Sakyi also started the game, and all more than played their part in a comfortable and controlled Chelsea display.
Player of the match
Number: 38 Marc Guiu
Average rating 8.35
Number: 10 M. Tomasov
Average Rating: 6.88Number: 19 B. Osei
Average Rating: 5.90Number: 5 K. Kažukolovas
Average Rating: 5.86Number: 81 R. Karimov
Average Rating: 5.76Number: 22 A. Marochkin
Average Rating: 5.76Number: 7 M. Ebong
Average Rating: 5.64Number: 2 K. Bartolec
Average Rating: 5.63Number: 3 B. Kalaica
Average Rating: 5.61Number: 45 A. Amanović
Average Rating: 5.46Number: 6 Y. Vorogovskiy
Average Rating: 5.42Number: 28 O. Camara
Average Rating: 5.38Number: 9 C. Geoffrey
Average Rating: 5.33Number: 77 N. Gripshi
Average Rating: 5.29Number: 21 E. Astanov
Average Rating: 5.14Number: 74 M. Seysen
Average Rating: 4.82Number: 38 Marc Guiu
Average Rating: 8.35Number: 7 Pedro Neto
Average Rating: 8.09Number: 40 Renato Veiga
Average Rating: 7.76Number: 51 S. Rak-Sakyi
Average Rating: 7.62Number: 34 J. Acheampong
Average Rating: 7.47Number: 22 K. Dewsbury-Hall
Average Rating: 7.41Number: 32 T. George
Average Rating: 7.33Number: 2 A. Disasi
Average Rating: 7.30Number: 55 A. Ampah
Average Rating: 7.28Number: 43 H. Vale
Average Rating: 7.28Number: 17 C. Chukwuemeka
Average Rating: 7.22Number: 4 T. Adarabioyo
Average Rating: 7.21Number: 76 S. Mheuka
Average Rating: 7.18Number: 33 K. Dyer
Average Rating: 7.03Number: 12 F. Jørgensen
Average Rating: 6.87After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
Related topics
UEFA Conference League Scores & Fixtures
Thursday 12th December
UEFA Conference League Table
On Thursday 12th December
Skip to table keyMatch Participants:
- Chelsea, Position 1, Points 15
- Astana, Position 30, Points 4
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 4 | 17 | 15 |
| |
| 2 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 12 |
| |
| 3 | Legia Warszawa | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 12 |
|
| 4 | Lugano | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
|
| 5 | Jagiellonia Białystok | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 11 |
|
| 6 | Shamrock Rovers | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 11 |
|
| 7 | Rapid Vienna | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 11 |
|
| 8 | Vitória Guimarães | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 11 |
|
| 9 | Cercle Brugge | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
|
| 10 | APOEL | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 10 |
|
| 11 | Djurgården | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
|
| 12 | Olimpija | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 9 |
|
| 13 | Heidenheim | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
|
| 14 | Gent | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 9 |
|
| 15 | København | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 8 |
|
| 16 | Pafos | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
|
| 17 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| |
| 18 | Víkingur Reykjavík | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 7 |
|
| 19 | Borac Banja Luka | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 7 |
|
| 20 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 6 |
| |
| 21 | Celje | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 5 |
|
| 22 | İstanbul Başakşehir | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 5 |
|
| 23 | Panathinaikos | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 5 |
|
| 24 | St.Gallen | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 5 |
|
| 25 | Molde | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 4 |
|
| 26 | TSC | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 4 |
|
| 27 | Omonia Nicosia | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 4 |
|
| 28 | The New Saints | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 4 |
|
| 29 | Mladá Boleslav | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 4 |
|
| 30 | Astana | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 4 |
|
| 31 | HJK | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 4 |
|
| 32 | Noah | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 12 | -9 | 4 |
|
| 33 | Dinamo Minsk | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 3 |
|
| 34 | LASK | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 13 | -10 | 2 |
|
| 35 | Petrocub | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 1 |
|
| 36 | Larne | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 12 | -10 | 0 |
|
Key
- Position 1 - 8 : 8th Finals
- Position 9 - 24 : Play-off
Team Lineups
home team, Astana
Manager: Grigoriy Babayan
Formation: 5 - 4 - 1
Pitch Formation
74, Seysen, Goalkeeper
2, Bartolec, Wing Back
5, Kazukolovas, Defender
22, Marochkin, Defender
3, Kalaica, Defender
6, Vorogovskiy, Wing Back
10, Tomasov, Midfielder
7, Ebong, Midfielder
45, Amanovic, Midfielder
28, Camara, Midfielder
9, Geoffrey, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 74, M. Seysen
- Number 3, B. Kalaica
- Number 22, A. Marochkin
- Number 5, K. Kažukolovas
- Number 6, Y. Vorogovskiy
- Number 2, K. Bartolec
- Number 28, O. Camara , substituted for E. Astanov at 91 minutes
- Number 45, A. Amanović , Yellow Card at 27 minutes, substituted for B. Osei at 46 minutes
- Number 7, M. Ebong
- Number 10, M. Tomasov , Captain, substituted for N. Gripshi at 88 minutes
- Number 9, C. Geoffrey , substituted for R. Karimov at 72 minutes
Substitutes
home team, Astana
- Number 11, N. Ahanonu
- Number 21, E. Astanov
- Number 72, S. Basmanov
- Number 15, A. Beysebekov
- Number 4, M. Bystrov
- Number 77, N. Gripshi
- Number 81, R. Karimov
- Number 8, I. Kuat
- Number 19, B. Osei
- Number 55, A. Zarutskiy
- Number 97, N. Zhaksylyk
- Number 93, J. Čondrić
away team, Chelsea
Manager: Enzo Maresca
Formation: diamond
Pitch Formation
12, Jørgensen, Goalkeeper
34, Acheampong, Defender
4, Adarabioyo, Defender
2, Disasi, Defender
51, Rak-Sakyi, Defensive Midfielder
22, Dewsbury-Hall, Midfielder
40, Renato Veiga, Midfielder
17, Chukwuemeka, Attacking Midfielder
7, Pedro Neto, Striker
38, Guiu, Striker
32, George, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 12, F. Jørgensen
- Number 2, A. Disasi , Captain
- Number 4, T. Adarabioyo
- Number 34, J. Acheampong
- Number 51, S. Rak-Sakyi , substituted for K. Dyer at 86 minutes
- Number 40, Renato Veiga
- Number 22, K. Dewsbury-Hall
- Number 17, C. Chukwuemeka , substituted for H. Vale at 67 minutes
- Number 32, T. George
- Number 38, Marc Guiu , substituted for S. Mheuka at 78 minutes
- Number 7, Pedro Neto , substituted for A. Ampah at 46 minutes
away team, Chelsea
- Number 55, A. Ampah
- Number 47, L. Bergström
- Number 33, K. Dyer
- Number 50, M. Merrick
- Number 76, S. Mheuka
- Number 59, H. Murray-Campbell
- Number 49, R. Olise
- Number 43, H. Vale
- Number 63, K. Wilson
home team, Astana
Manager: Grigoriy Babayan
Formation: 5 - 4 - 1
Pitch Formation
74, Seysen, Goalkeeper
2, Bartolec, Wing Back
5, Kazukolovas, Defender
22, Marochkin, Defender
3, Kalaica, Defender
6, Vorogovskiy, Wing Back
10, Tomasov, Midfielder
7, Ebong, Midfielder
45, Amanovic, Midfielder
28, Camara, Midfielder
9, Geoffrey, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 74, M. Seysen
- Number 3, B. Kalaica
- Number 22, A. Marochkin
- Number 5, K. Kažukolovas
- Number 6, Y. Vorogovskiy
- Number 2, K. Bartolec
- Number 28, O. Camara , substituted for E. Astanov at 91 minutes
- Number 45, A. Amanović , Yellow Card at 27 minutes, substituted for B. Osei at 46 minutes
- Number 7, M. Ebong
- Number 10, M. Tomasov , Captain, substituted for N. Gripshi at 88 minutes
- Number 9, C. Geoffrey , substituted for R. Karimov at 72 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 11, N. Ahanonu
- Number 21, E. Astanov
- Number 72, S. Basmanov
- Number 15, A. Beysebekov
- Number 4, M. Bystrov
- Number 77, N. Gripshi
- Number 81, R. Karimov
- Number 8, I. Kuat
- Number 19, B. Osei
- Number 55, A. Zarutskiy
- Number 97, N. Zhaksylyk
- Number 93, J. Čondrić
away team, Chelsea
Manager: Enzo Maresca
Formation: diamond
Pitch Formation
12, Jørgensen, Goalkeeper
34, Acheampong, Defender
4, Adarabioyo, Defender
2, Disasi, Defender
51, Rak-Sakyi, Defensive Midfielder
22, Dewsbury-Hall, Midfielder
40, Renato Veiga, Midfielder
17, Chukwuemeka, Attacking Midfielder
7, Pedro Neto, Striker
38, Guiu, Striker
32, George, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 12, F. Jørgensen
- Number 2, A. Disasi , Captain
- Number 4, T. Adarabioyo
- Number 34, J. Acheampong
- Number 51, S. Rak-Sakyi , substituted for K. Dyer at 86 minutes
- Number 40, Renato Veiga
- Number 22, K. Dewsbury-Hall
- Number 17, C. Chukwuemeka , substituted for H. Vale at 67 minutes
- Number 32, T. George
- Number 38, Marc Guiu , substituted for S. Mheuka at 78 minutes
- Number 7, Pedro Neto , substituted for A. Ampah at 46 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 55, A. Ampah
- Number 47, L. Bergström
- Number 33, K. Dyer
- Number 50, M. Merrick
- Number 76, S. Mheuka
- Number 59, H. Murray-Campbell
- Number 49, R. Olise
- Number 43, H. Vale
- Number 63, K. Wilson
- Referee:
- Sven Jablonski
- Video Assistant Referee:
- Pascal Müller
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Lasse Koslowski
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Marco Achmüller
- Fourth Official:
- Tobias Reichel
- Assistant VAR Official:
- Katrin Rafalski
Match Officials
Match Stats
Key, Astana v ChelseaOverall Possession
General
Shots
Astana 6Chelsea 23Shots on target
Astana 3Chelsea 12Total touches in the box
Astana 10Chelsea 47Goalkeeper saves
Astana 9Chelsea 2Fouls
Astana 7Chelsea 8Corners
Astana 2Chelsea 4Season so far
UEFA Conference League
Skip to form guideKey, Astana v Chelsea
League position, Astana 30th, Chelsea 1stTotal points, Astana 4, Chelsea 15
Goals scored
Astana 3Chelsea 21Form guide
All competitions
Skip back to season so farAstana draw
v Vitória Guimarães
1
1
UEFA Conference League
Chelsea won
v Tottenham Hotspur
3
4
Premier League
Astana won
v Zhenys
0
2
League Cup
Chelsea won
v Southampton
1
5
Premier League
Astana won
v Zhetysu
5
0
Premier League
Chelsea won
v Aston Villa
3
0
Premier League
Astana lose
v Pafos
1
0
UEFA Conference League
Chelsea won
v Heidenheim
0
2
UEFA Conference League
Astana lose
v Tobol
1
0
Premier League
Chelsea won
v Leicester City
1
2
Premier League