Chelsea became the first team to have three teenagers score in a single Champions League match as Marc Guiu, Estevao Willian and Tyrique George powered a 5-1 demolition of Ajax. The Blues also fielded the second youngest starting line-up an English club has ever selected in the competition, behind an Arsenal side that, curiously, featured Tom Cruise in the stands.
Guiu opened the scoring after Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor was sent off for a reckless challenge on Facundo Buonanotte. Estevao added a sublime second from the penalty spot, and Tyrique George netted three minutes after coming on as a substitute. Manager Enzo Maresca said: "It was a great night especially for these young players and the club. It is the strategy of the club."
Ajax, who had started brightly, unravelled after Taylor's dismissal. Wout Weghorst converted a penalty to briefly reduce the deficit, but then conceded a spot kick by fouling Enzo Fernandez, who scored it. The Argentinian later gave a second penalty to Estevao, who converted to complete a memorable individual display. Ajax conceded four goals in the first half of a European match for the first time since 1958.
The returning Remko Pasveer, at 41, became the third oldest player ever to appear in the Champions League. He was picking the ball out of his net five times. Chelsea captain Reece James, rested for the match, had been the club's youngest Champions League scorer before the night; within 50 minutes he had slipped to fourth youngest.
The victory owed much to Ajax's self-destruction, but Maresca's bold selection was vindicated. With senior strikers Liam Delap and Joao Pedro absent, Guiu and Estevao provided the cutting edge. "I feel very lucky to be his manager," Maresca said of the Brazilian teenager.
