Pohlers aids Wolfsburg, Arsenal, Rossiyanka win

Conny Pohlers scored a record-equalling goal as VfL Wolfsburg came from behind to post a comfortable round of 16 first-leg victory against Røa IL. Her former club 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam became the first German side ever to lose to Arsenal LFC, while Russia's FC Rossiyanka had to work hard to overcome AC Sparta Praha. UEFA.com rounds up today's UEFA Women's Champions League action.

Arsenal LFC 2-1 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam
Neither of these former champions have ever fallen before the quarter-finals and the second leg is finely poised after Yuki Ogimi's late away goal. Already without prolific striker Genoveva Añonma, the German title holders lost Nataša Andonova to injury early on and her replacement Wibke Meister was forced off before the interval. Both teams had created clear openings when Arsenal broke the deadlock on 70 minutes, Katie Chapman turning in Rachel Yankey's corner.

Ellen White came off the bench on 78 minutes and soon after doubled Arsenal's advantage after being played through by Kim Little. However, Potsdam's chances for next Wednesday's second leg were boosted by a brilliant chip from Japan's FIFA Women's World Cup winner Ogimi with one minute to go.

VfL Wolfsburg 4-1 Røa IL
Yesterday Pohlers's former Potsdam team-mate Anja Mittag scored for WFC Malmö to equal Hanna Ljungberg's long-standing tally of 39 goals in European club competition and the 33-year-old followed suit today. The Norwegian visitors opened the scoring against the run of play on 22 minutes when Emilie Saavi turned inside Luisa Wensing and sent a spectacular 30-metre strike soaring over Wolfsburg goalkeeper Alisa Vetterlein. Røa's lead lasted only nine minutes, though, after Gunhild Herregården turned in a crisp effort by Pohlers.

With the home side rampant, it was no surprise when they went ahead five minutes before half-time. Alexandra Popp surged down the right wing and cut back for Zsanett Jakabfi to sweep in from close range. Wolfsburg, impressing on their debut season in Europe, continued to push forward after the restart and Popp made victory safe on 74 minutes after a neat exchange in the box with Pohlers, before the latter made history with an expert turn and finish.

AC Sparta Praha 0-1 FC Rossiyanka
Russian champions Rossiyanka hold the initiative after a closely contested match in Prague. Desire Oparanozie got the goal on 12 minutes, beating Hana Sloupová with a low shot to conclude a swift counterattack. Visiting goalkeeper Elvira Todua then produced a superb save from Adéla Pivoňková's close-range header following Lucie Martínková's cross. The second half continued in the same vein without further scoring.

Sparta coach Dušan Žovinec told UEFA.com: "We played top-class opponents, unfortunately we did not play well in the first 15 minutes, but then it was an equal match. Though our opponents have the advantage, we feel we still have a chance in the second leg – we will travel to Russia with the aim of fighting to go through."

Previous first legs
WFC Malmö 1-0 ASD CF Verona: second leg Wednesday
Fortuna Hjørring 1-1 Göteborg FC: second leg Wednesday
FK Zorkiy Krasnogorsk 0-9 Olympique Lyonnais: second leg Wednesday
Stabæk FK 0-0 FCF Juvisy Essonne: second leg Thursday
 ASD Torres CF 4-1 CFF Olimpia Cluj: second leg Thursday