Chelsea faced a challenging start in their Champions League qualifier against Real Sociedad, but new signing Melvine Malard made an impressive debut, scoring twice to help the Blues secure a 5-2 victory. The match, held at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, marked a significant change as Chelsea debuted their new home for cup games, having moved from Kingsmeadow.

Initially, Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm, a sluggish performance likely frustrating their suspended manager, Sonia Bompastor, who was serving a one-match ban. In contrast, Real Sociedad displayed sharpness and confidence, having recently drawn with OL Lyonnes and beaten Eibar on penalties.

The match began with Ainhoa Marín putting Real Sociedad ahead with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box. Chelsea equalized in the 30th minute through a corner, with Naomi Girma seemingly getting the faintest touch. Despite a lackluster first half, Chelsea improved dramatically after the break.

Key moments included:

• 54th minute: Veerle Buurman scored from another set piece, giving Chelsea a temporary lead.
• Real Sociedad equalized shortly after, as Cecilia Marcos capitalized on a defensive error.
• Melvine Malard made her mark in the 67th minute, scoring her first goal by calmly finishing past the goalkeeper.
• Lauren James added a fourth for Chelsea, followed by Malard's second goal, sealing the match.

Chelsea now heads into the return fixture with a three-goal cushion, showcasing resilience and depth in their squad.