Malard's Dream Debut Leads Chelsea to Champions League Victory
Melvine Malard needed just 12 minutes to turn a tight European tie into a statement win.
On her Chelsea debut, the France forward came off the bench and scored twice as the Blues beat Real Sociedad 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round at Cherry Red Records Stadium, taking a huge step towards the league phase.
Signed from Manchester United for about £850,000 this summer, Malard entered on 55 minutes with the game finely poised at 2-2. Chelsea were dominant in territory, but the scoreline still nagged. One mistake, and the night could tilt.
Instead, Malard tilted it herself.
Released through the middle by Sjoeke Nüsken, she surged clear, rounded goalkeeper Julia Arrula with composure and rolled the ball into an empty net to restore Chelsea’s lead. A debut touch of class, and a glimpse of why the club moved so decisively for her.
The 26-year-old wasn’t finished. As Real Sociedad tired and Chelsea pushed for a cushion, full-back Ellie Carpenter burst down the flank and drilled a low cross into the six-yard box. Malard arrived on cue in the 88th minute, a simple tap-in for her second and Chelsea’s fifth, sealing a scoreline that reflects their control more than their early nerves.
Early Shock, Ruthless Response
This was Sonia Bompastor’s first competitive game in charge of Chelsea, and it started with a jolt.
Just seven minutes into the new season, Ainhoa Marín silenced the home crowd. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, the Sociedad forward curled a superb strike into the top corner. One chance, one ruthless finish, and the Spanish side led 1-0.
Chelsea needed a response and, led by their new-look spine, they found it.
On the half-hour, captain Naomi Girma rose highest from a corner to head in and level the tie. The delivery came from another fresh face: Katie McCabe, signed after leaving Arsenal, swung in a dangerous ball that Girma attacked with conviction. New captain, new set-piece taker, first big moment of the season.
The pressure built. Chelsea forced corners, pinned Sociedad back, and early in the second half they struck again from a dead ball. This time Lauren James provided the cross, and Dutch defender Veerle Buurman powered in a header to make it 2-1.
Chelsea looked in control. Then the game flipped again.
Cecilia Marcos pounced to bring Real Sociedad back to 2-2, punishing Chelsea’s failure to kill the tie. For a brief spell, the visitors grew in belief, snapping into challenges and slowing the tempo.
That was the window. Malard slammed it shut.
James Joins the Party, Blues Take Command
With the score level and tension rising, Chelsea’s attacking quality finally overwhelmed the visitors.
Malard’s first goal restored the lead and broke Sociedad’s resistance. The tempo lifted, the spaces grew, and James began to find more room between the lines. She added her own strike in the closing stages, squeezing in Chelsea’s fourth to give Bompastor’s side a two-goal cushion.
Malard then applied the final touch with her late second, completing a three-goal burst that turned a nervy contest into a commanding 5-2 advantage heading into the second leg.
For a side that finished third in the Women’s Super League last season and expects to go deeper in Europe, the performance mixed early warning signs with emphatic attacking promise.
Spain Next, Then Stamford Bridge
The return leg will be played in Spain on Wednesday, 2 September (18:00 BST), where Chelsea will aim to finish the job and book their place in the Champions League league phase.
This season brings a shift in venues too. Chelsea will stage their home domestic cup and European league-phase fixtures at Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium, while all WSL home matches move to Stamford Bridge.
One night in south-west London has already given Bompastor a debut win, a new hero in Malard, and a strong grip on this tie.
What will Spain reveal about how far this reshaped Chelsea can go?
