Too harsh a punishment for Real Sociedad in the Champions League
The San Sebastián side fell to a 5-2 defeat against Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier. Ainhoa Marín and Cecilia Marcos scored the goals for the Basque side, twice pulling the match level, but strikes from Naomi Girma, Veerle Burman, a brace from Melvine Malard, and a goal from Lauren James secured the win for the hosts.
26 AUG 2026
Real Sociedad left London having competed well, although the final scoreline was too harsh given their performance. Just seven minutes into the match, Ainhoa Marín unleashed a stunning goal from the edge of the box, sending the ball into the top corner. The response was swift. After a shot from Beever-Jones following a corner went wide, Baltimore tried her luck with an effort that hit the woodwork. The pressure eventually told, as a corner taken by McCabe culminated in an unstoppable header from Girma, levelling the score before half-time. After the restart, Chelsea sought to increase the intensity, and just ten minutes into the second half, Veerle Buurman powered a header into the back of the net.
However, Real Sociedad had not said their last word, and Cecilia Marcos quickly equalised. Buurman dispossessed Ainhoa Marín, but the ball fell to the San Sebastián winger, who found space and sent the ball into the back of the net, making it 2-2 on the scoreboard. Arturo Ruiz's side sought to leave with at least a draw, but Malard, who beat Julia Arrula with a dummy, put the London side ahead once more. With fifteen minutes remaining, Lauren James made no mistake for the fourth, and Melvine Malard sealed the match with the fifth. Ane Isasisasmendi made her official debut for the Basque club. The return leg, where the Txuri-Urdin side will be looking for a heroic comeback, will be on Wednesday, 2 September at 19:00h in Zubieta.