The second-half introduction of Catarina Macario from the Chelsea bench only added to the Ajax defence’s concerns, and she set up Nusken to head in with seven minutes to go.
The consolation for Ajax was the performance of American midfielder Lily Yohannes, who became the first 16-year-old to play in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals since Chelsea’s Jess Carter turned out for Birmingham City at this stage of the competition 10 years ago against Arsenal
Yohannes’ technique and awareness will not be lost on Hayes as she soon prepares to take the reins of the American national team.
Match details
Ajax (4-3-3) Van Eijk; Keijzer, Kardinaal, De Sanders, De Klonia; Noordam, Van Gool (Noordman, 87), Yohannes (Van de Velde, 67); Grant, Leuchter, Hoekstra (Keukelaar 6, 73).
Subs not used Nienhuis (gk), Van der Wal (gk), Verhoeve, Hoekstra, Jansen, Sabajo, Tolhoek. Booked Yohannes
Chelsea (4-4-2) Hampton; Perisset, Carter, Buchanan, Charles (Beever-Jones, 87); Rytting Kaneryd (Lawrence, 74), Cuthbert (Cankovic, 84), Leupolz (Ingle, 87), Reiten; Nusken, James (Macario, 74)
Subs not used Musovic (gk), Kirby, Cox.
Referee Maria Ferrieri Caputi (Italy).
Attendance 35,991