Chelsea continued their flawless Europa Conference League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim, courtesy of second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk. The win secures European football in the new year for the Blues and keeps them on track for automatic qualification to the last-16 stage.
Nkunku opened the scoring early in the second half, demonstrating his clinical finishing as he converted Jadon Sancho’s precise cross. The Frenchman’s strike marked his fifth goal in the competition and his 11th across all competitions this season, underlining his importance to Enzo Maresca’s side.
With Heidenheim threatening a late equalizer, Mudryk put the result beyond doubt with a superb finish. The Ukrainian winger latched onto another assist from Sancho and rifled the ball into the top corner, showcasing his growing confidence and ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Chelsea had dominated possession from the start, registering 10 shots in the first half, but found Heidenheim goalkeeper Kevin Muller in inspired form. Muller made key saves to deny Marc Guiu and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, keeping the hosts in contention despite Chelsea’s relentless pressure.
The first half also saw a moment of officiating drama when Mudryk went down in the box, leading to initial confusion. Referee Serdar Gozubuku appeared to award a penalty but gave no clear signal, sparking uncertainty over whether he had ruled for a dive instead. A VAR check ultimately overturned any notion of simulation, and play resumed without further incident.
The Bundesliga side grew into the game in the second half, testing Chelsea’s defense on multiple occasions. Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen was instrumental for the visitors, producing a remarkable double save to deny Paul Wanner and Leo Scienza. Heidenheim’s Maximilian Breunig also had a goal ruled out for offside, ensuring Chelsea held onto their lead.
Despite their dominance, Chelsea faced a late setback when Cesare Casadei was sent off in injury time for two bookable offenses. The dismissal was the only blemish on an otherwise solid performance from the Blues, who managed to see out the win with 10 men.
Maresca’s side now sits comfortably at the top of their group, with their perfect record intact and progression to the knockout stages all but assured. The Italian manager will be pleased with his team’s resilience and ability to secure results even when tested by spirited opposition.
With Nkunku and Mudryk both finding form, Chelsea appear well-equipped to navigate the challenges ahead in the competition. Their focus will now shift back to domestic action, but their Europa Conference League campaign continues to build momentum, leaving fans hopeful of a deep run in Europe this season.