Chelsea cruise past Real Sociedad to clinch place in UWCL
Chelsea booked their spot in the Champions League league phase after a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie.
Chelsea booked their spot in the Champions League league phase after a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie.
The Blues sealed a 6-2 aggregate victory during a lacklustre match in Spain which saw Keira Walsh score the only goal of the game in the 54th minute.
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The England midfielder's strike subsequently secured Chelsea's place in Friday's draw for the league phase of the competition.
Blues boss Sonia Bompastor made four changes to the side that won 5-2 in London last week, with Lucy Bronze, Kadeisha Buchanan, Lexi Potter and Wieke Kaptein all starting.
Ellie Carpenter caused problems in the early stages of the first half by sending a series of teasing crosses into the box.
Lauren James blasted the ball past the post and Walsh latched onto another brilliant cross from Carpenter, but Julia Arrula easily saved before being called into action to deny Carpenter.
With the score goalless at halftime, Giulia Dragoni was introduced after the break to make her Chelsea debut.
Aggie Beever-Jones had the best chance of the game 53 minutes in after being played through by Carpenter and her strike was palmed away by Arrula.
However, from the resulting corner Chelsea suddenly opened the scoring from a short routine which reached Walsh outside the box and the midfielder curled the ball home.
Hannah Hampton pushed Ainhoa Marin's strike behind for a corner as Sociedad enjoyed a brief threatening spell.
Nelly Las dragged a shot wide for Chelsea, who comfortably navigated the closing stages of the match to reach the league phase.
