Wolfsburg show class at Rossiyanka

VfL Wolfsburg set up a UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final with Arsenal LFC after two late goals ended the hopes of FC Rossiyanka.

The Russian side had lost their previous two quarter-finals against German opposition, and already 2-1 up from the first leg, Wolfsburg controlled the match for long periods. Their pressure finally paid off on 71 minutes when Conny Pohlers headed past Elvira Todua after an perfect cross from the impressive Alexandra Popp, before Lena Goessling's late long-range effort confirmed their meeting with Arsenal away on 13/14 April and at home the following weekend.

Popp went close for the visitors twice early on, but was denied first by a good block by Olga Petrova and then by an excellent save from goalkeeper Todua, who was continuing her eye-catching form from the first leg. Rossiyanka slowly began to find their feet, though for all their neat approach play, they were unable to seriously test Alisa Vetterlein in the away goal as the teams went into the half-time break goalless.

Rossiyanka continued to enjoy plenty of possession after the resumption, yet were hampered by a lack of creativity in attack. Creating chances was not a problem for Ralf Kellermann's outfit, as Martina Müller and Nadine Kessler both had good opportunities.

However, 19 minutes from time, Wolfsburg's persistence paid off as all-time competition top scorer Pohlers secured her 41st goal in UEFA women's club competition, getting on the end of a fine centre from Popp. After Zsanett Jakabfi shot over Todua's goal, Goessling's superb right-footed strike from distance with three minutes remaining made the game safe.