Chelsea women wasted little time showing they remain a serious force in Europe, delivering a 5-2 first-leg thrashing of Real Sociedad in their UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier.
Despite trailing early and looking a touch rusty after an unusual preseason, Chelsea women produced a second-half masterclass that leaves them with a healthy three-goal cushion heading into next week’s return leg in San Sebastian.
Chelsea Women Find Their Rhythm After Early Scare
Real Sociedad stunned the home crowd in the seventh minute when Ainhoa Marín produced a looping finish beyond Hannah Hampton.
For a side that had spent much of August on the other side of the world rather than testing themselves against top European opposition, the early setback raised familiar questions about sharpness.
Katie McCabe, making her full debut after crossing London from Arsenal, whipped in a dangerous corner that Naomi Girma glanced home.
The equaliser settled nerves and set the tone for a night that would ultimately showcase the quality of the club’s summer recruitment.
Veerle Buurman then nodded Chelsea women in front from a Lauren James delivery, only for Cecilia Marcos to bring the Spanish side back into the game.
At 2-2 after an hour, the tie still felt delicately balanced. That was the moment Melvine Malard entered the fray.
The French forward, signed from Manchester United, needed only a few minutes to make her mark.
A perfect through-ball from Sjoeke Nusken released Malard, who finished coolly for her first Chelsea goal.
James then smashed home from Ellie Carpenter‘s cut-back before Malard completed her brace late on, again courtesy of Carpenter’s surging run down the right.
Five goals, three of them involving summer arrivals, and a dominant second half. Chelsea women had turned a potentially awkward evening into a statement of intent.
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What This Means for the UWCL Campaign
The context matters. Last season’s failure to retain the Women’s Super League title forced Chelsea women into the UWCL qualifying rounds for the first time in six years.
Bompastor has used the summer to reshape the squad decisively, moving on several members of the Emma Hayes era and bringing in McCabe, Malard and the highly rated Giulia Dragoni.
The early signs suggest the new faces are already understanding the standards expected.
McCabe’s set-piece delivery, Malard’s clinical finishing and Carpenter’s overlapping runs all pointed to a side ready to stake their claim in the WSL and Europe.
There will be tougher nights ahead, of course. Real Sociedad were organised and dangerous on the break, and Chelsea women will need greater control in the second leg.
Yet the manner of this comeback offered genuine encouragement.
Chelsea women now travel to Spain with a three-goal advantage and the knowledge that their new signings can make an immediate impact on the biggest stage.
The UWCL has long been the one major trophy missing from the club’s recent collection. Nights like this, even in the qualifying stage, suggest the ambition remains undimmed.
Looking Ahead to Spain and Beyond
The domestic campaign begins shortly afterwards against Aston Villa. For now, though, the focus stays firmly on Europe.
Chelsea women have given themselves a platform. The next step is to finish the job and ensure their UWCL campaign continues into the league phase, where the real tests await.
A strong start does not guarantee silverware, but it does underline that Chelsea women are still very much a UWCL threat.
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