Chelsea vs Real Sociedad, 2026-27 UEFA Women's Champions League Qualifying, Third Round
· 1st Leg
- 29': Naomi Girma
- 54': Veerle Buurman
- 67': Melvine Malard
- 74': Lauren James
- 88': Melvine Malard
FT
5 - 2
1st Leg
5 - 2
1st Leg
Late surge puts Chelsea on verge of reaching UWCL league phase
Melvine Malard scored twice on her competitive Chelsea debut as they hit back to beat Real Sociedad 5-2 in their Champions League third qualifying round first-leg.
Match Commentary
- 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
- 0': First Half begins.
- 7': Goal! Chelsea Women 0, Real Sociedad Femenino 1. Ainhoa Marín (Real Sociedad Femenino) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal.
- 24': Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 29': Goal! Chelsea Women 1, Real Sociedad Femenino 1. Naomi Girma (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Katie McCabe.
- 45': Fourth official has announced 1 minutes of added time.
- 45'+2': First Half ends, Chelsea Women 1, Real Sociedad Femenino 1.
- 45': Second Half begins Chelsea Women 1, Real Sociedad Femenino 1.
- 54': Goal! Chelsea Women 2, Real Sociedad Femenino 1. Veerle Buurman (Chelsea Women) header from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Lauren James.
- 55': Substitution, Chelsea Women. Wieke Kaptein replaces Sandy Baltimore.
- 55': Substitution, Chelsea Women. Melvine Malard replaces Aggie Beever-Jones.
- 58': Goal! Chelsea Women 2, Real Sociedad Femenino 2. Cecilia Marcos (Real Sociedad Femenino) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
- 65': Substitution, Chelsea Women. Lucy Bronze replaces Naomi Girma.
- 67': Goal! Chelsea Women 3, Real Sociedad Femenino 2. Melvine Malard (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sjoeke Nüsken.
- 70': Substitution, Real Sociedad Femenino. Intza Egiguren replaces Cecilia Marcos.
- 74': Goal! Chelsea Women 4, Real Sociedad Femenino 2. Lauren James (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Ellie Carpenter.
- 76': Substitution, Real Sociedad Femenino. Nerea Eizagirre replaces Ainhoa Marín.
- 76': Substitution, Real Sociedad Femenino. Esther Laborde replaces Ainoa Campo.
- 76': Substitution, Chelsea Women. Maika Hamano replaces Lauren James.
- 83': Esther Laborde (Real Sociedad Femenino) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 88': Goal! Chelsea Women 5, Real Sociedad Femenino 2. Melvine Malard (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Ellie Carpenter.
- 90': Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
- 90'+1': Substitution, Real Sociedad Femenino. Ane Isasisasmendi replaces Arola Aparicio.
- 90'+5': Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 5, Real Sociedad Femenino 2.
- 0': Match ends, Chelsea Women 5, Real Sociedad Femenino 2.
Game Information
Competition: UEFA Women's Champions League Qualifying
Venue: The Cherry Red Records Stadium
Location: London, England
Venue: The Cherry Red Records Stadium
Location: London, England
Line-Ups
Chelsea (4-3-3)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 24 | Hannah Hampton (GK) |
| 4 | Naomi Girma |
| 5 | Veerle Buurman |
| 2 | Ellie Carpenter |
| 15 | Katie McCabe |
| 21 | Keira Walsh |
| 10 | Lauren James |
| 6 | Sjoeke Nüsken  |
| 33 | Aggie Beever-Jones |
| 12 | Alyssa Thompson |
| 11 | Sandy Baltimore |
Real Sociedad (4-3-3)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 13 | Julia Arrula (GK) |
| 2 | Claudia Florentino |
| 4 | Nahia Aparicio |
| 3 | Ainhoa Moraza |
| 7 | Camino |
| 22 | Klára Cahynová |
| 5 | Paula Fernández |
| 20 | Ainoa Campo |
| 8 | Ainhoa Marín |
| 11 | Cecilia Marcos |
| 19 | Arola Aparicio |
UEFA Women's Champions League Qualifying News
Barcelona's Yamal vs. Real Madrid's Mbappé: Which Clásico star has stronger Ballon d'Or claim?
In the tightest Ballon d'Or contest in years, top LaLiga players Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are among those vying to win soccer's top individual prize.
Harry Maguire: Man United 'moved on' from Lisandro Martínez rant
Harry Maguire has insisted that the Manchester United dressing room have left Lisandro Martínez's outburst in the past.
Transfer rumors, news: Galatasaray eye Man Utd's Fernandes
Galatasaray are ready to move for Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Stats: Lamine Yamal on top with 10 assists, 100 for Erling Haaland, 102 for Harry Kane
ESPN brings you the best stats from this weekend's football action.
United's form slump continues after draw with Leeds
Manchester United's winless run in the Premier League stretches to five after Leeds United came away with a 1-1 draw at home.