Conference League: Chelsea Edge Past Copenhagen to Secure Last-Eight Spot

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the decisive goal as Chelsea secured a place in the Conference League quarter-finals with an uninspiring second-leg victory over Copenhagen.

The midfielder showcased quick footwork on the edge of the box before forcing his way past two defenders and clinically slotting the ball into the bottom corner 10 minutes into the second half.

Chelsea, holding a 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg, struggled in the first half and failed to register a single shot, prompting boos from the Stamford Bridge crowd at halftime. Meanwhile, Copenhagen displayed energy and attacking intent but lacked precision in the final third to truly threaten the hosts.

Cole Palmer, who started on the bench due to illness, was introduced after the break and contributed to a sharper second-half performance from Enzo Maresca’s side.

Following Dewsbury-Hall’s breakthrough, Palmer nearly ended his 10-game goal drought, driving forward and narrowly missing the target.

Copenhagen continued to push for an equalizer but failed to create meaningful chances, with their best opportunity coming in stoppage time when Rodrigo Huescas blazed his shot over the bar.

Chelsea comfortably saw out the match and will now face Polish side Legia Warsaw in the last eight.

“Chelsea has won the Champions League, the Europa League—it would be stupid of us to say we can’t win this,” Dewsbury-Hall told TNT Sports. “It’s not arrogance; we just know the quality we have in the squad.”