Lyon and Rossiyanka soar, Arsenal level

UEFA Women's Champions League holders Olympique Lyonnais took a huge step towards another quarter-final after a convincing round of 16 first-leg win at AC Sparta Praha, while FC Rossiyanka took control of the all-Russian tie and Arsenal LFC secured a draw at Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.

The other five first legs were played on Wednesday night with wins for 1. FFC Frankfurt, 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, FC Malmö, Göteborg FC and Brøndby IF. All returns are next Wednesday or Thursday.

AC Sparta Praha 0-6 Olympique Lyonnais
It will take something truly momentous to deny the holders a place in the quarter-finals following a fine attacking display in the Czech capital. Lara Dickenmann's ball set up Lotta Schelin for the opener on 21 minutes and the same pair combined to make it 2-0 five minutes later as Patrice Lair's side made light of the absence of captain Camille Abily.

Substitute Élodie Thomis and Eugénie Le Sommer struck in quick succession after the break, and defender Corine Franco took her share of the limelight, making it 5-0 with a volley from a Shirley Cruz corner 15 minutes from time. Le Sommer then completed the scoring, converting from the spot after Petra Bertholdová fouled Sandrine Brétigny.

FC Energiya Voronezh 0-4 FC Rossiyanka
Rossiyanka's extra player told eventually with Sofia Jakobsson scoring a hat-trick to give her side a daunting first-leg lead over a side running them close in Russia. Things began to go wrong for Voronezh on 42 minutes when Brazilian defender Adriana Parente was sent off for a foul on Cristiane in the area. Veronika Shulga saved the fouled player's penalty, but Jakobsson put her side in front before the break. Tetyana Chorna made it 2-0 with a tremendous shot from distance midway through the second half and 21-year-old Swedish international Jakobsson killed off any remaining resistance with further efforts on 70 and 81 minutes.

Rayo Vallecano de Madrid 1-1 Arsenal LFC
Last season 2007 champions Arsenal fell to a 2-0 defeat at Rayo in the last 16 before a dramatic 4-1 win in the return to progress; this time they will go into Wednesday's second leg level. Kim Little gave Arsenal the perfect start when she turned in Ellen White's ball from the right on three minutes but just past the half-hour, not long after Gunners goalkeeper Emma Byrne had denied Natalia, the Vallecano captain chased a through ball and equalised.

Home goalkeeper Alicia denied Jayne Ludlow from close range to keep the half-time score at 1-1 and was kept busy after the break, especially by Little. But Rayo held out to ensure they do not have to overturn a deficit next week at Borehamwood, but will need to score.