**Chelsea eased to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Astana on Thursday that secured their place in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League.**
The Blues breezed past the Kazakhstani side despite making sweeping changes to their matchday squad, with Marc Guiu stealing the show in the first half. The 18-year-old Spaniard scored an excellent opener in the 14th minute as he powered beyond the Astana defence, and positioned himself in exactly the right place as he deflected in Pedro Neto's cross just five minutes later.
Renato Veiga capitalised on some sloppy Astana defending at a corner as he headed home a third for the Blues from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's cross, but the home side did provide [Chelsea](https://www.90min.com/teams/chelsea) with a minor scare on the stroke of half-time as Marin Tomasov's strike reduced the deficit.
Astana improved after the break but lacked the necessary quality to pose any significant threat to Chelsea's lead. The Blues could have easily extended their advantage in the closing stages but lacked the ruthlessness in the final third to run up the score.
Enzo Maresca will be pleased with the performance of his much-changed side, with Chelsea finishing their league phase campaign against Shamrock Rovers next Thursday.
[_**\*Player ratings provided by FotMob\***_](https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/matches/chelsea-vs-fc-astana/7263g5v#4622231)
**Player**
**Ratings**
**GK:** Filip Jorgensen
6.7/10
**RB:** Josh Acheampong
7.9/10
**CB:** Axel Disasi
7.4/10
**CB:** Tosin Adarabioyo
6.6/10
**LB:** Renato Veiga
8.6/10
**DM:** Sam Rak-Sakyi
7.6/10
**DM:** Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
8.3/10
**RW:** Pedro Neto
7.9/10
**AM:** Carney Chukwuemeka
7.6/10
**LW:** Tyrique George
7.7/10
**ST:** Marc Guiu
7.7/10
**SUB:** Ato Ampah (46' for Neto)
6.3/10
**SUB:** Harvey Vale (67' for Chukwuemeka)
6.2/10
**SUB:** Shumaira Mheuka (78' for Guiu)
6.1/10
**SUB:** Kiano Dyer (86' for Rak-Sakyi)
N/A
_Subs not used: Lucas Bergstrom (GK), Max Merrick (GK), Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Richard Olise._