Chelsea are on the brink of qualifying for the Women’s Champions League league phase after a convincing 5-2 home victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.
With the score locked at 2-2 entering the final 25 minutes in London, new signing Melvine Malard struck twice—either side of a Lauren James goal—to put the Blues in firm control heading into next week’s second leg in the Basque country. If Chelsea avoid a shock result in Spain, they will join Arsenal, Manchester City, and defending champions Barcelona in the 18-team group stage.
Elsewhere in the competition:
Wolfsburg took a commanding 2-0 lead over 10-woman Inter Milan thanks to goals from Lara Prasnikar and Camilla Kuever.
Real Madrid beat Ajax 2-0 away, with Felicia Schroeder and Janou Levels on the scoresheet.
Juventus secured a 3-0 win at St. Poelten in Austria.
Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt, while Denmark’s HB Koge edged PSV Eindhoven 1-0.
OH Leuven of Belgium virtually sealed their spot with a 4-1 win at Czarni Sosnowiec.
Sparta Prague lead Servette 3-2 after their first leg in the Czech Republic.
On Tuesday, Brann of Norway beat Austria Vienna 2-1 in Bergen.
Chelsea now head to Spain with a strong advantage, on the verge of joining Europe’s elite in the main competition.
