Chelsea FC opened this week's Champions League qualifiers with a 5-2 win over Real Sociedad on Wednesday. The latest UWCL results give the Blues a comfortable three-goal cushion heading into next week's second leg in San Sebastian.

Chelsea FC's 1st Round Qualifying UWCL Results

Real Sociedad struck first and early through Ainhoa Marín in the seventh minute. Before halftime, though, Naomi Girma pulled Chelsea level with a corner delivery from former Arsenal star Katie McCabe.

From there, the match swung back and forth.

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Veerle Buurman put Chelsea ahead early in the second half, then Cecilia Marcos equalized for Real Sociedad four minutes later. Chelsea summer signing Melvine Malard responded in the 67th minute, before veteran Lauren James extended the lead and Malard added her second in the 88th minute to close out the win.

Malard, who joined from Manchester United in July, scored a brace in her competitive debut for the Blues, a positive sign for the rebuilding squad.

Champions League Schedule Kicks Off 2nd Leg

The Champions League schedule now turns to the return leg on September 2nd.

A positive result in Spain would send Chelsea into the league phase after a third-place WSL finish last season. Under Sonia Bompastor, the early returns suggest the new signings are finding their footing fast.

The Women’s International Champions Cup got off to an exhilarating start in a matchup between Lyon and Barcelona on Wednesday in Portland.

Back-and-forth play left the score tied 2-2 late into the game. Melvine Malard’s goal in the 85th minute put Lyon ahead 3-2 and helped the French side advance to the final of the exhibition tournament.

 

Mariona Caldentey scored both of Barcelona’s goals, while Amel Majri and Amadine Henry added one each for Lyon.

Malard earned Player of the Match honors for her late heroics in Lyon’s win.

Lyon will play the Portland Thorns in the WICC final on Saturday night. Barcelona will face the Houston Dash, who lost to the Thorns on penalty kicks Wednesday, in the third-place game.