Chelsea placed one foot into the UEFA Women’s Champions League proper. Naomi Girma captained and scored once while Alyssa Thompson also started in Chelsea’s 5-2 first leg qualifying victory over Spanish visitors Real Sociedad. Girma logged 64 minutes in defense while Thompson went the distance in Sonya Bompastor’s squad. Ainhoa Marin gave Real Sociedad a shock 1-0 lead after eight minutes but Girma would equalize 21 minutes later, celebrating her first goal of the new season. Girma raced across the near post on a set piece play, flicking a corner kick into the back of the net.Equalizer from Naomi Girma 1-1#CFCW https://t.co/GDlCeX4MWQ pic.twitter.com/q16rzdC1NR— Chelsea Women Daily (@CFCWdaily) August 26, 2026Veerle Buurman gave Chelsea a 2-1 lead nine minutes after the interval but Real Sociedad would hit back through Cecilia Marcos tying goal. However, Chelsea would eventually find its footing as Melvine Malard scored twice in the final 23 minutes of the match while Lauren James added a goal in between the French forward’s brace.Chelsea hung on for a vital first leg victory, setting them up nicely for potential advancement to the league phase. The Blues will travel to Spain for the second leg matchup on September 2 before then opening their WSL schedule three days later at home against Aston Villa.