Chelsea leads 2-0 against Ajax in Champions with goals from Guiu and Caicedo after red card
Chelsea faces Ajax in the third round of the Champions League league phase at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The English side took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Marc Guiu and Moisés Caicedo. The match started evenly, but a red card to Ajax’s midfielder Taylor at the 15th minute shifted the game’s momentum.
Ajax, pointless in their first two matches, struggles with a numerical disadvantage for most of the first half. Chelsea, with three points so far, controls possession and aims to extend their lead. The red card stemmed from a harsh foul on Buonanotte, reviewed by VAR.
Estêvão, starting for the first time in the Champions League for Chelsea, is active in attack. The game remains ongoing, with the first half nearing its end.
Ajax tries to respond, but Chelsea’s defense holds firm. With the current score, Chelsea could reach six points in the standings.
GOL DE MOISÉS CAICEDO pic.twitter.com/VT2ndYqRjI
— Andrés Bautista 🎩 (@AndresBV_9) October 22, 2025
Red card shifts match dynamics
At the 15th minute, referee Felix Zwayer initially showed a yellow card to Taylor for a foul on Facundo Buonanotte. VAR intervened, leading to a direct red card.
The incident occurred in midfield, with Taylor halting a quick Chelsea transition. The decision left Ajax with 10 players, forcing immediate defensive adjustments.
Ajax coach John Heitinga responded with a substitution at the 22nd minute, replacing Gloukh with Mokio to bolster the midfield. Ajax fans booed the change, expressing frustration with the tactic.
Quick goals secure Chelsea’s lead
Post-expulsion, Marc Guiu scored at the 17th minute. Buonanotte crossed from the right, Fofana headed it down, and the Spaniard finished from close range for 1-0.
Guiu, 19, scored his first Champions League goal for Chelsea and second in the competition, having netted for Barcelona last season. The play came from a short free-kick, exploiting Ajax’s disarray.
At the 26th minute, Moisés Caicedo doubled the lead. Gittens dribbled on the left and passed to the Ecuadorian, who shot from distance with a deflection past Pasveer.
Caicedo, key in Enzo Maresca’s midfield, marked his first Champions League goal. The shot, from 20 meters, was redirected by a defender to secure the 2-0.
Individual highlights in first half
Estêvão Willian, the 18-year-old Brazilian, makes his Champions League starting debut and creates chances. At the 9th minute, his corner was deflected for another. At the 21st, he pulled off a backheel dribble on McConnell, exciting the crowd.
Enzo Fernández delivers precise passes. At the 12th minute, he found Guiu with a deep ball, but Pasveer saved. The Argentine boasts an 85% pass accuracy.
Jamie Gittens, on the left, set up Caicedo’s goal. At the 24th minute, he advanced into the box, earning a corner, keeping the pressure on.
Wesley Fofana, in defense, assisted the first goal with a header. The Frenchman also blocked Ajax’s attempts, like Godts’ shot at the 6th minute.
- Estêvão: 2 completed dribbles, 1 corner.
- Enzo: 3 key passes.
- Caicedo: 1 goal, 90% pass accuracy.
- Guiu: 1 goal, 2 shots.
Lineups shaped by absences
Chelsea lines up in a 4-2-3-1: Jorgensen in goal; Lavia, Fofana, Adarabioyo, and Hato in defense; Enzo, Caicedo, and Buonanotte in midfield; Estêvão, Gittens, and Guiu up top. João Pedro is suspended after a red card against Benfica.
Ajax, also in a 4-2-3-1, fields Pasveer; Lucas Rosa, Sutalo, Itakura, and Baas in defense; McConnell and Taylor (sent off) in midfield; Moro, Gloukh (subbed), Godts, and Weghorst in attack. Injuries sideline Wijndal and Boomen.
Maresca rotated players, saving regulars for Premier League matches. Heitinga aims for balance, but the red card disrupts his plan.
Chelsea won their last three games across competitions, including a 3-0 over Nottingham Forest. Ajax lost five straight in Europe.
Ajax under growing pressure
With 10 players, Ajax sits back, focusing on containment. At the 20th minute, Gloukh tried a left-flank move, but Chelsea regained control.
Ajax fans jeer coaching decisions, while Chelsea supporters taunt Heitinga. The Dutch coach, appointed last summer, faces scrutiny after losses to Inter and Marseille.
Weghorst, the striker, draws fouls, like at the 18th minute, but Ajax fails to advance. The team has five consecutive European losses, their worst run since the 1980s.
Chelsea presses with corners: at the 10th and 24th minutes, McConnell cleared for throw-ins. Chelsea holds 62% possession.
Early plays show initial balance
The whistle blew at 4:00 p.m. local time, with Ajax starting with possession. By the 1st minute, Chelsea stole the ball and leveled play.
At the 3rd minute, Buonanotte linked with Estêvão, but the defense blocked. At the 6th, Gloukh set up Godts, whose shot was stopped by the defense.
At the 11th minute, two plays ended in Chelsea goal kicks. The pace was choppy, with fouls like Caicedo’s on Weghorst.
Until the red card, both teams averaged 4.5 shots, matching season stats. Chelsea averages two corners per Champions League game.
