Lauren James Scores After VAR Assist As Chelsea Beat Ajax in Front of Record-Breaking Dutch Crowd

Chelsea won 3-0 away at Ajax on Tuesday night in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final.

Lauren James opened the scoring before two goals from Sjoeke Nusken put the Blues in firm control ahead of next week's second leg in London.

The game was watched by a record-breaking crowd of 35,991 - the highest-ever attendance for a women's soccer match in the Netherlands.

Highlights: Ajax 0-3 Chelsea

Lauren James was on target as Chelsea won 3-0 at Ajax in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night

IMAGO/ANP/Gerrit van Cologne

Chelsea's opening goal was awarded following a review by the video assistant referee, who corrected an on-field offside call that had gone against James.

England forward James had coolly dribbled around the keeper to score her 15th club goal of the season after the ball deflected into her path off two Ajax defenders.

Another VAR review was needed later in the first half after Guro Reiten had fired home following a cross from James.

After much deliberation, the goal was disallowed because Nusken was adjudged to have been interfering with play from an offside position as Reiten's shot flew past her.

But Chelsea still made it 2-0 before half-time when Reiten set up Nusken for her first goal of the game.

Nusken netted again late in the second half with a headed finish following an assist by substitute Catarina Macario.

Chelsea will play either Barcelona or Brann in the semi-finals barring a remarkable Ajax turnaround at Stamford Bridge.