Chelsea Women secure 5-2 victory over Real Sociedad in Champions League qualifier
A second-half surge featuring a debut double from Melvine Malard gives Chelsea a commanding aggregate advantage heading into the return leg in Spain.
Chelsea Women secured a commanding 5-2 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League third qualifying round tie. The match took place on Wednesday at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, leaving the English club on the brink of the competition's league phase.
This result provides a substantial buffer for the return fixture in Spain. Securing progression is critical for the club’s European campaign, as reaching the league phase guarantees significant sporting prestige and the commercial visibility that accompanies top-tier continental football.
The visitors initially took the lead in the seventh minute when Ainhoa Marin curled a spectacular long-range shot past Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. Sociedad’s Sandy Baltimore nearly doubled the advantage shortly after, but her effort struck the underside of the crossbar.
Chelsea equalised in the 29th minute following a Katie McCabe corner. Although McCabe appeared to have scored the equaliser herself, the goal was officially credited to defender Naomi Girma, who was determined to have glanced the ball into the net.
The second half began with rapid exchanges from both sides. Veerle Buurman directed a corner from Lauren James past Sociedad goalkeeper Julia Arrula to restore Chelsea’s lead. However, Cecilia Marcos levelled the score for the Spanish visitors just four minutes later with a precise finish into the far corner that gave Hampton no chance.
The decisive shift occurred after Melvine Malard entered the match as a substitute, replacing Beever-Jones ten minutes into the second half. The forward, who joined Chelsea from Manchester United in July, rounded the keeper to put the Blues ahead 3-2 in the 67th minute.
Lauren James extended the advantage in the 74th minute, tapping the ball home after strong build-up play from Ellie Carpenter. Malard sealed the result with two minutes remaining, latching onto another pinpoint cross from Carpenter to complete her competitive debut double.
The victory was achieved under the temporary guidance of assistant coach Camille Abily. She took charge of the squad for this European fixture because head coach Sonia Bompastor was serving a suspension carried over from the previous season.
