Chelsea Women secured their place in the league phase of the Women’s Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in San Sebastian.
Keira Walsh’s second-half strike settled a subdued second leg and completed a 6-2 aggregate success for Sonia Bompastor’s side, who had won the opening match 5-2 at Plough Lane last week.
The result means Chelsea will be involved in Friday’s league-phase draw in Nyon, with the first matches in the next stage scheduled for 22 and 23 September.
Bompastor made four changes to the team selected for the first leg, bringing Lucy Bronze, Kadeisha Buchanan, Lexi Potter and Wieke Kaptein into the starting line-up.
Chelsea created the clearer openings during a goalless first half. Ellie Carpenter repeatedly threatened with deliveries from the right, while Lauren James sent an effort narrowly wide before Walsh met another Carpenter cross, only for Real Sociedad goalkeeper Julia Arrula to save comfortably.
Arrula was required again shortly after the interval when Aggie Beever-Jones was released by Carpenter, but the goalkeeper blocked the forward’s shot.
Chelsea finally made their pressure count from the resulting corner. A short routine found Walsh on the edge of the area and the England midfielder curled a precise finish into the net in the 54th minute.
Giulia Dragoni was introduced after half-time for her Chelsea debut, while Real Sociedad briefly threatened when Ainhoa Marin forced Hannah Hampton into a save.
Nelly Las went close late on with a shot wide, but Chelsea remained in control and saw out the closing stages to confirm their progress into the league phase.
