Chelsea ease into Conference League final against Real Betis

Chelsea will face Real Betis in the final of the UEFA Conference League after a 1-0 win over Swedish side Djurgarden sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory in their last-four tie on Thursday.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck the only goal at Stamford Bridge late in the first half on a night 16-year-old Reggie Walsh became the youngest player to start a European game for Chelsea.

The Blues can become the first club to win all three of UEFA’s current competitions if they beat Real Betis in Wroclaw on May 28.

Chelsea haven’t won a major trophy since the 2021 Champions League, but captain Reece James believes the club are heading back towards the top after a challenging period.

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James said: “We’re in another final but it is probably something we excepted coming into the game and we expect to win the competition as well. Winning the trophy would be a huge achievement.

“We are definitely moving in the right direction. We’re knocking on the door for Champions League next season, the table is tight and I have no doubts.

“We had a good result against Liverpool and hopefully we can keep momentum going and finish the season strongly.”

Betis also squeezed through to their first European final in the club’s history after overcoming two-time Conference League runners-up Fiorentina 4-3 on aggregate following a 2-2 draw after extra time in the second leg in Italy.

The Star