Chelsea face Real Sociedad in WCL third qualifying round with riches at stake

Chelsea will face Real Sociedad in the Women's Champions League third qualifying round, with the tie played over two legs. The English side, who were 2021 WCL runners-up and six-time European semi-finalists, must qualify through the preliminary rounds after finishing third in the Women's Super League last season — their lowest league finish since 2019. Chelsea are considered favourites against the Spanish side, with significant financial implications riding on reaching the main league phase.