Arsenal Defeat Real Madrid While Man Utd Suffer Defeat in Womens Champions League
Englands forward Alessia Russo netted a brace as defending champions Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Womens Champions League on Wednesday, whereas Manchester United endured their initial setback in the league stage.
Arsenal trailed on a chilly evening at Meadow Park after Scotlands Caroline Weir struck just prior to the interval, yet Russo salvaged the outcome for the Gunners with two headers in the second period.
Russo lofted a header beyond Madrid custodian Misa Rodriguez to equalise for Arsenal and then nodded in the decisive goal from a corner kick, halting the Spanish teams perfect run in the tournament.
Arsenal occupy eighth position in the 18-team standings with six points, alternating between victories and defeats across their initial four fixtures.
"It was a really important win," Russo shared with Disney+.
"Weve probably not had the results that weve wanted... but it was important to come here and pick up a result tonight in the Champions League, so we are really happy."
United conceded five goals in a 5-2 defeat to Wolfsburg, where Dutch players Ella Peddemors and Lineth Beerensteyn each scored twice.
Swedens Fridolina Rolfo headed United ahead in Germany as Marc Skinners squad started strongly in pursuit of a fourth straight European triumph.
Nonetheless, Wolfsburg levelled via Peddemors following a mishandled clearance by keeper Safia Middleton-Patel.
Peddemors added another with a cross that slipped past multiple defenders into the net before Beerensteyn blasted one from afar to extend Wolfsburgs advantage.
Frenchwoman Melvine Malards chip restored hope for United right before the break but Beerensteyns second strike effectively sealed the points for Wolfsburg.
German Vivien Endemann notched a fifth in added time as Wolfsburg claimed their third win from four outings.
United Seek Solutions
"We had a good start, so we were hoping that it would be our game, but it was definitely not," Rolfo stated to UEFA.com
"Well have to analyse this game and learn from it, because this is not how we want to play."
The German outfit overtook United on goal difference to claim third spot with two fixtures remaining. The leading four sides advance straight to the quarter-finals.
"That we started the Champions League very well is the positive thing at the moment," Rolfo continued.
"We, of course, want to go far. Now we have two more games in the league phase. We have to give it our all and hopefully win both of them."
Lyon lead the overall table following a remarkable comeback, sealed by skipper Wendie Renards 90th-minute spot-kick, resulting in a 3-3 stalemate against Juventus.
The Italians appeared dominant after Chiara Beccari, Michela Cambiaghi, and Tatiana Pinto netted in the opening half for a 3-0 cushion.
However, Malawis Tabitha Chawinga reduced the deficit for Lyon on the hour mark, Frances Marie-Antoinette Katoto added another, and Renard buried the penalty to rescue a draw and preserve the eight-time European winners unbeaten streak.
Lyon hold 10 points, one ahead of Barcelona, Wolfsburg, and United.
Barcelona face Chelsea on Thursday, both teams competing for the summit. Chelsea have amassed seven points from their first three encounters.
Paris FC notched their debut victory by overcoming 10-player Benfica 2-0 in Paris.
Austrian St Poelten halted a trio of losses by rallying from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Valerenga, earning their inaugural point in the event.