Keira Walsh Sends Chelsea Into Women’s Champions League Phase

Chelsea secured a place in the Women’s Champions League league phase with a 1-0 victory away to Real Sociedad, completing a 6-2 aggregate win in their third-round qualifier. Keira Walsh scored the only goal of the second leg in San Sebastián, ending any remaining prospect of a comeback by the Spanish side.

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The Guardian reported that Walsh broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, sweeping home after a Chelsea corner. Real Sociedad had kept the visitors scoreless until that point, but the goal increased Chelsea’s aggregate advantage to four and effectively settled the tie.

Chelsea arrived with a commanding cushion after winning the first leg 5-2 at Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium. Sonia Bompastor’s team had fallen behind in that game before recovering, and the return fixture followed a similarly difficult pattern as Real Sociedad limited clear openings during the first half.

Bompastor returned to the dugout after serving a one-match ban in the first leg and made four changes to her side. Midfielder Lexi Potter, 20, was among those brought into the starting lineup, while Veerle Buurman, Katie McCabe, Sjoeke Nüsken and Alyssa Thompson were named among the substitutes. Ellie Carpenter provided Chelsea’s most productive attacking route before the interval, operating ahead of Lucy Bronze on the right.

Aggie Beever-Jones had an opportunity shortly before the goal, but her centrally directed attempt was saved by goalkeeper Julia Arrula. Walsh had also tested Arrula with a first-half side-footed effort. Once Walsh converted from the corner after the break, Chelsea managed the remainder of the contest without surrendering their advantage.

The result means three Women’s Super League clubs will compete in the Champions League league phase, according to The Guardian. Real Sociedad will move into the Europa League. Chelsea also gave substitute debuts to new signings Nelly Las and Giulia Dragoni, while 17-year-old Chloe Sarwie received playing time. The European qualifier provided Chelsea with competitive preparation before their WSL opener against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.