Mayra Ramírez opener eases Chelsea into WCL semi-finals despite Ajax rally
Chelsea progressed to the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League despite being held at Stamford Bridge by a stubborn Ajax. Mayra Ramírez fired the hosts ahead before Chasity Grant levelled in the second half to ensure parity on the night. It mattered little, however, as Chelsea went through 4-1 on aggregate.
It has been a relentless month for Emma Hayes’ side with this tie their seventh fixture in March. This, combined with the fact that Chelsea had brought a comfortable 3-0 lead back home from Amsterdam, meant that mass rotation was understandable. There were seven alterations to the line-up that had started in their league victory over West Ham with Zecira Musovic getting a relatively rare outing in goal and Fran Kirby returning to support the attack after making her 200th appearance for the club at the weekend. Ramírez, meanwhile, finally made her Champions League debut for her new club after returning from injury.
