Melvine Malard Shines on Chelsea Debut with Two Goals
Melvine Malard needed just 12 minutes to turn a tight European tie into a Chelsea statement.
The France forward came off the bench on her debut and struck twice as Chelsea overpowered Real Sociedad 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round at Cherry Red Records Stadium, putting one foot in the league phase.
Signed from Manchester United for about £850,000 this summer, Malard started among the substitutes. By the time she stepped on in the 55th minute, the game was balanced at 2-2 and restless. By the time she walked off, it belonged to her.
Shock start, steady response
Sonia Bompastor’s first competitive game in charge could hardly have begun in more jarring fashion. With just seven minutes gone, Ainhoa Marin stepped inside on the edge of the box and whipped a superb effort into the top corner, silencing the home crowd and giving the Spanish side a 1-0 lead.
Chelsea, still knitting together a side dotted with new signings, needed a foothold. It came on the half-hour, and fittingly through their captain.
Naomi Girma rose to meet a corner from Katie McCabe and powered in the equaliser. McCabe, recruited from Arsenal in the summer, delivered a teasing ball; Girma did the rest, thumping her header home to drag Chelsea level and settle the early nerves.
The pressure began to build. Corners, territory, possession – all edging Chelsea’s way as the interval approached.
Set-piece swing, Sociedad strike back
The second half began with Chelsea playing as if they had been reminded of the stakes.
Another corner, another breakthrough. This time Lauren James provided the delivery, and Dutch defender Veerle Buurman attacked it, heading in to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead early in the half. A new season, a new coach, but the old Chelsea threat from dead balls remained.
Just as they seemed to be taking control, Sociedad hit back.
Cecilia Marcos found the equaliser, punishing a lapse and levelling the tie at 2-2. For a moment, the rhythm of the night faltered. The visitors sensed a chance; Chelsea suddenly stared at a nervy journey to Spain.
Then Malard arrived.
Malard takes over
Introduced in the 55th minute, Malard wasted no time announcing herself to her new supporters.
Sjoeke Nüsken slid a perfectly weighted pass in behind the Sociedad defence. Malard was onto it in a flash, rounded goalkeeper Julia Arrula and rolled the ball into an empty net. A cool finish, a 3-2 lead, and a debut already worth the fee.
Chelsea’s tempo surged. The spaces widened. The attacks came in waves.
James added another to push the advantage out further, her goal wedged between Malard’s two strikes as the home side finally turned dominance into daylight on the scoreboard.
And Malard was not done.
With two minutes of normal time remaining, full-back Ellie Carpenter drove down the flank and drilled a low cross into the six-yard box. Malard had timed her run perfectly and tapped in from close range for her second of the night and Chelsea’s fifth, sealing a 5-2 victory and a dream debut.
From 2-2 and tense to 5-2 and commanding, Chelsea had found their cutting edge exactly when it mattered.
Next stop: Spain, then Stamford Bridge
The second leg awaits in Spain on Wednesday, 2 September (18:00 BST), with Chelsea carrying a three-goal cushion and a forward already looking at home in blue.
Three days later, the Blues open their Women’s Super League campaign against Aston Villa, with all WSL home matches this season staged at Stamford Bridge. Their domestic cup and European league-phase home ties will continue at Wimbledon's Cherry Red Records Stadium.
A new era, new surroundings, and new signings. On this evidence, Chelsea’s season might well be defined by how often nights like Malard’s become the norm.
