Chelsea Secures Champions League Qualification with Final-Day Victory

Chelsea has officially secured a spot in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The win ensured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, marking a return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

Colwill’s Decisive Goal

The match remained tense until the 50th minute, when Levi Colwill capitalized on a defensive error by Nottingham Forest to score the only goal of the game. Pedro Neto provided the assist, sliding the ball across the face of the goal for Colwill to tap in. Despite Forest’s late attempts to equalize, Chelsea’s defense held firm, securing the crucial victory.

Maresca’s Response to Critics

Chelsea’s qualification was met with strong emotions from head coach Enzo Maresca, who fired back at critics who doubted his young squad’s ability to compete at the highest level. Maresca, who led Chelsea to a five-win streak in their final six matches, emphasized that his team had proven their worth despite external skepticism.



“I didn’t have any doubt about the players,” Maresca stated. “The doubt was from outside. People said we were too young, not good enough, and that we needed Aston Villa to drop points to qualify. But we proved them wrong”.

Champions League Race & Final Standings

Chelsea’s victory secured their place in the Champions League, alongside Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Newcastle United. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, who had been competing for a top-five finish, fell short and will play in the Europa League and Conference League, respectively.

Looking Ahead

Chelsea will now shift their focus to the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis, scheduled for May 28 in Wroclaw, Poland. A win would add another European trophy to their collection and further solidify their resurgence under Maresca.

With Champions League football secured, Chelsea will look to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window, ensuring they remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions next season.


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