England striker Alessia Russo scored twice as holders Arsenal overcame Real Madrid 2-1 in the Women's Champions League on Wednesday, while Manchester United suffered their first loss of the league phase.

Arsenal fell behind at Meadow Park to Scotland international Caroline Weir's goal just before half-time, but Russo rescued the Gunners with a pair of second-half headers.

Russo looped a header over Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez to bring Arsenal level and then headed in the winner from a corner to end the Spanish side's unbeaten record in the competition.

United slid to a 5-2 loss at Wolfsburg as Dutch internationals Ella Peddemors and Lineth Beerensteyn both struck twice.

Fridolina Rolfo headed United in front in Germany as Marc Skinner's team began well in their search for a fourth successive win in Europe.

However, Wolfsburg equalised through Peddemors after a poor clearance from goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel.

Peddemors netted again with a cross that found its way in after eluding several players before Beerensteyn rifled in from distance to double Wolfsburg's lead.

Melvine Malard's lob got United back into the game just before half-time but Beerensteyn effectively secured the win for Wolfsburg with her second goal of the night.

Vivien Endemann added a fifth deep into stoppage time for Wolfsburg as they won for the third time in four matches.

"We had a good start, so we were hoping that it would be our game, but it was definitely not," Rolfo said. "We'll have to analyse this game and learn from it, because this is not how we want to play."

The Germans moved above United on goal difference into third in the standings with two rounds of matches to play. The top four teams qualify directly for the quarter-finals.

"That we started the Champions League very well is the positive thing at the moment," added Rolfo.

"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." (AFP)