Chelsea Ladies were 3-0 up from the first leg and there were very few nervy moments in Sweden as the outcome of the tie never looked in doubt. The win on the night was secured courtesy of Ji So-Yun’s second-half goal, and Hayes was again full of praise for what she saw from her players.

‘That was my favourite performance in Europe,’ the boss said.

‘It’s a sign of maturity when you can come away from home, irrespective of the scoreline, control the game, go up another level when it’s time to because you know you have got it in you, then control the game again, and see it out with a professional performance and a clean sheet.

‘I’m watching a team that has been a few years in the making but one that is growing to become a force in Europe.

‘For us to get to the quarter-finals by beating two of the top-ranked teams in Europe: it’s a really proud day for our football club.’

The solitary goal was scored by Ji and she was one of a number of players Hayes made a point of identifying in her assessment of the 90 minutes.

‘It’s important we continue to use all our players and recognise what’s important from game to game. I was delighted to see Erin Cuthbert go in today. She’s a talented 19-year-old that I have full trust in and my decision to play her was an indication of that. She did really well for 65 minutes.

‘Ji ran the show in the middle of the park and showed she’s adapting to this level on the European stage. She has been keen to improve.

‘And once again, we got a clean sheet. It was a fabulous performance from the back three. We talk about Magda and Millie getting a lot of the credit, but it is time we start acknowledging the work Gilly Flaherty has done.’

The draw for the quarters of the Women's Champions League, and the semis too, is next Friday 24 November, but European action doesn’t resume until the end of March, so for now Hayes’s focus is back on domestic matters.

‘I don’t care who we get in the draw. I don’t live in fear of European opposition. When you get to the quarter-finals by beating Bayern Munich and Rosengard, everybody else is thinking they won’t want to draw us.

‘We have made the quarters. That’s the minimum achievement for us. We have ambitions to win this tournament. We are making strides towards that.

‘Now we have got to concentrate on the league. All our focus is on recovering now because we have played six games in 18 days and the players do need to rest. We will have that period and then we will get ready for Yeovil and Tottenham when we return, and I’m sure the players will be prepared.’

