Marc Guiu delivered a stunning first-half hat-trick as Chelsea secured a commanding 5-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers to finish top of their Conference League group with a flawless record.
Enzo Maresca’s youthful second-string side dominated the league phase, advancing directly to the last 16 after winning all six matches, scoring an impressive 26 goals while conceding only five. Guiu, the 18-year-old striker signed from Barcelona in the summer, stole the spotlight and further cemented his reputation as one of the club’s brightest prospects.
Guiu opened the scoring by capitalizing on a mistake from Darragh Burns, who misjudged a backward header, allowing the teenager to finish clinically. Shamrock Rovers briefly stunned Stamford Bridge by leveling the match, with Markus Poom firing home from a well-worked corner. However, Chelsea quickly regained control as Guiu pounced on a poor back pass from Daniel Cleary to restore the lead. Moments later, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made it 3-1 with a composed finish from inside the box.
Before halftime, Guiu completed his hat-trick in style, rising to meet Noni Madueke’s pinpoint cross with a glancing header that left the visitors reeling.
The onslaught continued after the break, with Marc Cucurella adding a fifth goal just before the hour mark. The Spanish full-back capped off a delightful team move with a precise low strike. Despite Chelsea’s dominance, Shamrock Rovers managed to limit further damage in the second half, though the loss saw them drop out of the automatic qualification spots and into a play-off position.
Chelsea’s performance not only showcased their depth but also highlighted Guiu’s immense potential as he played a starring role in an emphatic group-stage campaign.
