Ramirez stars as Chelsea secure semi-final spot

Mayra Ramirez starred on her European Chelsea debut as the Blues progressed into their second-successive Champions League semi-final with a hard fought 1-1 second-leg draw with Ajax to seal a 4-1 aggregate victory.

Going into the game with the tie largely out of sight for the visitors after a disappointing first leg 3-0 loss in Amsterdam and a League Cup final against London rivals Arsenal on the horizon, Emma Hayes made six changes, which included a first Champions League start for the world’s most expensive female player, Ramirez, following her return from injury at the weekend in the 2-0 victory versus West Ham.

The Columbian opened her account in Europe for the Blues on the first time of asking and impressed a jubilant Stamford Bridge crowd. The Blues have never failed to go through after winning the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final, and the former Levante striker made sure they entered their fifth semi-final in the competition.

Ajax were bolstered by the return of veteran defender and captain Sherida Spitse with the hopes of becoming the first Dutch team to reach the semi-finals; however, the magnitude of the task at hand proved too great.

Despite enjoying the majority of possession in the early stages of the first half, the home side looked nervous, and the visitors intense high press forced Chelsea into mistakes. Ajax had the first chance when a well-worked short corner routine between Rosa Van Gool and Tiny Hoekstra resulted in an in-swinging cross headed over.

Chelsea sent a warning when Alex Beever-Jones whipped in a mean cross to the near post, which was side-footed narrowly wide by the arriving Erin Cuthbert.

However, Romée Leuchter should have put Ajax in the lead when a failed clearance from Jess Carter deflected into the path of the in-form Dutch striker, who fired the shot wide on the turn. Moments later, Hoekstra nearly found herself on the scoresheet in the most unlikely of circumstances when Zecira Musovic attempted a back pass, but instead the ball hit the onrushing Hoekstra, and to the relief of the crowd, it trickled wide of the post.

Beaver-Jones continued to be a nuisance on the right as she drove into the box, manoeuvred her way through two players, and released it to Guro Reitan at the back post, who caressed the ball wide.

Eventually, Chelsea opened the scoring through Ramirez on her first start for Hayes’ side in the Champions League. Ramirez rather brilliantly pulled away from her marker, to create the space for Reitan to slip her in-behind and calmy slot home.

Ramirez came close to a second after Beaver-Jones drove the ball across the face of goal inches from the outstretched boot of the striker, who could not quite make the necessary contact.

On the stroke of half time, Leutcher once again failed to convert following an attempted volley on the turn.

The second half commenced in a similarly energic fashion to the first. Leutcher had an early opportunity to make amends for her missed chances, but she failed to test Musovic.

The tempo gradually dropped off as the two teams settled into the half. However, the home side were punished when Hoekstra was able to carry the ball forward unchallenged and play through Chasity Grant, who poked the ball beyond Musovic.

Leutcher thought she had finally gotten the goal her efforts deserved after she deceived Jess Carter with a fake shot to fashion the ball onto her right foot and produce a wonderful curling effort, but it was matched with an excellent save by Musovic.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper continued her inspired form when she denied Danique Tolhoek from range.

A comfortable night for Hayes, her attention will now turn to Sunday as Chelsea take on Arsenal in the League Cup Final with the hopes of securing their first trophy of the season, taking a step closer to the quadruple dream and fairytale end for the Chelsea manager.