Chelsea on track for Conference League glory

Chelsea have taken a big step toward advancing to the Conference League final after beating Swedish club Djurgården 4-1 in the first leg of their semifinal.

Nicolas Jackson struck twice six minutes apart in the second half on Thursday after Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke netted in the first half for Chelsea to take control ahead next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge.

"We're very happy that we won. That's the most important," Jackson told TNT Sports.

"It is one step forward and we hope to reach the final."

Chelsea were the big favourites against the Swedish team that have reached a European semifinal for the first time.

Enzo Fernández sent a precise floating cross from the right for unmarked Sancho to give Chelsea an early 1-0 lead.

Madueke doubled the advantage two minutes before halftime, with Fernández again providing the final pass.

Jackson only needed to score into an empty net after a defensive blunder in the 59th for his first before hitting the roof of the net from the edge of the area to make it 4-0.

Isak Alemayehu scored a consolation goal for the hosts.

In the other semifinal, Real Betis topped Fiorentina 2-1 in Sevilla.

The opening goal for Betis came in the sixth minute with Cédric Bakambu crossing from the right for Abdessamad Ezzalzouli to score from close range with the ball bouncing off the crossbar and a video review confirming it crossed the goal line.

Antony, who is at Betis on loan from Manchester United, added the second in 64th on a rebound past former Man United goalkeeper David De Gea after his initial shot was blocked by Luca Ranieri.

Ranieri, the Fiorentina captain, reduced the lead to 2-1, leaving the second leg wide open.

Fiorentina were runner-up in the third-tier club competition in the last two years, losing the finals to West Ham in 2023 and Olympiacos last year.