Malard Scores Twice on Debut as Chelsea Beat Real Sociedad 5-2

Melvine Malard scored twice on her Chelsea debut as the English side came from behind to beat Real Sociedad 5-2 in the first leg of their Women's Champions League third qualifying-round tie. The Guardian reported that Chelsea's late surge at the Cherry Red Records Stadium created a three-goal cushion before next week's return fixture.

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Real Sociedad took the lead after seven minutes through Ainhoa Marín. A corner was cleared toward the edge of the penalty area, where the forward met the ball unmarked and sent a looping shot into the far corner. The visitors, who finished third in Liga F last season, were organised without the ball and made Chelsea's slow opening costly.

Chelsea equalised in the 30th minute from Katie McCabe's corner, with captain Naomi Girma credited with the final touch as the delivery went in. Aggie Beever-Jones then sent an attempt wide, but the hosts went into halftime level after struggling to establish control during the opening period. Manager Sonia Bompastor watched while serving a one-match suspension stemming from her red card against Arsenal in last season's quarter-finals.

The home side improved after the interval and moved ahead in the 54th minute. Veerle Buurman rose to head in Lauren James's corner, giving Chelsea a 2-1 advantage. Real Sociedad answered five minutes later when Buurman's sliding challenge directed the ball to Cecilia Marcos, who finished past goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to make it 2-2.

Malard, introduced from the bench for her first Chelsea appearance, restored the lead in the 67th minute. She collected Sjoeke Nüsken's through-ball, evaded a defender and waited for the goalkeeper to commit before finishing into the open net. James extended the margin in the 74th minute by converting Ellie Carpenter's delivery from close range.

Carpenter supplied another assist in the 88th minute, setting up Malard for her second goal and Chelsea's fifth. The 5-2 result leaves Chelsea in a strong position in the two-leg qualifier, although progression to the league phase will not be settled until the return match. Real Sociedad's two away goals also reflected the problems they caused Chelsea before the hosts' second-half depth and attacking pressure changed the contest.