Melvine Malard, French forward, scored a brace to help Women’s Super League (WSL) side, Chelsea Women, defeat Liga F side, Real Sociedad Women, 5-2 in the Uefa Champions League 2026/27 qualification match on Wednesday 26 August, 2026 at Wheatsheaf Park, Staines-upon-Thames, England.
In the 8th minute of action, the Spanish Women’s top flight side took the lead through Ainhoa Marin, but, in the 29th minute, the English side levelled when Naomi Girma converted Katie McCabe’s corner.
Veerle Buurman netted in the 54th minute to take Chelsea back in front, and Cecilia Marcos restored parity for Real Sociedas, and from there on, it was all for the Blues as they netted three (3) to ensure they travel to Spain with a wide margin for the second leg of the qualification tie.
Malard, who moved to Chelsea from Manchester United Women, netted the third for the hosts in the 67th minute; Lauren James made it four in the 74th minute and Malard sealed the victory in the 88th minute.
Camille Abily, Assistant Manager, took control of the Blues following a suspension slammed on manager Sonia Bompastor.
Malard was introduced ten (10) minutes into the second half as a replacement for Beever-Jones to net the brace for her side.
The second leg of the tie will take place on Wednesday 2 September, 2026 at Instalaciones de Zubieta, Zubieta, Spain at 18:00 (WAT).
Results
| Uefa Women’s Champions League 2026/27 (Qualification) – Wednesday 26 August, 2026 |
| Wolfsburg W 2-0 Inter W |
| Sparta Prague W 3-2 Servette W |
| Czarni Sosnowiec W 1-4 Oud-Hervelee Leuven W |
| Eintracht Frankfurt W 1-1 Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG) W |
| PSV W 0-1 HB Koege |
| Ajax W 0-2 Real Madrid W |
| Chelsea 5-2 Real Sociedad |
| SKN St. Poelten W 0-3 Juventus W |
