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Friday, August 28, 2026
UEFA Women’s Champions League 
Melvine Malard announced her arrival in spectacular fashion with a brace on her competitive debut, as Chelsea fought back to secure a 5-
The Spanish side stunned the hosts inside the opening seven minutes when Ainhoa Marin produced a moment of pure quality, lofting a dipping effort from the corner of the box beyond Hannah Hampton and into the far corner. Chelsea, however, responded with composure. Captain for the evening Naomi Girma levelled matters midway through the first half, glancing home a header from Katie McCabe's inswinging corner on her full debut for the club.
The Blues thought they had taken the lead shortly after the restart when Sjoeke Nusken found the net, but the offside flag cut short the celebrations. The deadlock was finally broken soon after, as young defender Veerle Buurman rose highest to power a header across the line from a James corner. Yet Sociedad's resolve remained unshaken, and within four minutes Cecilia Marcos had rifled in a right footed strike to make it 2-
That only served to spark Chelsea into life. Nusken turned provider with an inch perfect through ball that picked out Malard, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home for her first goal for the Blues. Ellie Carpenter then produced a devastating run down the right flank, pulling the ball back for Lauren James to fire emphatically into the roof of the net. The Australian full back was at it again in the closing stages, powering past her marker once more before squaring for Malard, who tapped in her second to complete a memorable debut and give Chelsea a commanding three-
The Blues now travel to San Sebastian for the second leg on Wednesday 2 September, holding a 5-