Champions League

Wolfsburg's debut in the Champions League was off to a good start in Group B after the team of coach Armin Veh beat CSKA Moscow 3:1 on Tuesday evening.

Brazilian star striker Grafite, who scored 28 goals last season to help his team win the German title, was the uncontested man of the match with a hat trick. He first scored in the 36th minute after a perfectly timed pass from Zvjezdan Misimovic. Just five minutes later the Brazilian converted a penalty after being downed by Moscow defender Deividas Semberas.

The three-time Russian champs and 2005 UEFA cup winners were too tame to jeopardize Wolfsburg in earnest. However, after taking the 2:0 lead, the Germans withdrew a little, and this was punished by Moscow's Alan Dzagoev who scored in the 77th minute.

As a result, Wolfsburg turned up the heat again, pinning the Russians down in their own half. Misimovic could have delivered the knockout blow in the 85th minute but he failed to get past Moscow's keeper Igor Akinfeev. This was left to Grafite who dashed all Russian hopes of a draw by netting two minutes later.

"It was a special night, an unforgettable night," Grafite told reporters. "I am very happy I got three goals and it is a fantastic feeling. But we must keep our feet on the ground."

"It wasn't an exhilarating match but that's not what we were after anyway. We wanted to play with a solid defense and win the game. We were the better team, gave the Russians hardly any leeway and deserved to win," said Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh.

Wolfsburg's most dangerous rivals in Group B are Manchester United who also clinched three points on Tuesday after a 1:0 away victory against Turkish side Besiktas Istanbul.

Bayern's Mueller does it again

The second German team to play on Tuesday was Bayern Munich. The Bavarians managed to grab three points in Group A with a 3:0 away victory against Israeli side Maccabi Haifa.

However, Bayern's defense was far from solid and other key players also failed to live up to expectations. Franck Ribery's performance was particularly disappointing, and Dutch coach Louis van Gaal replaced the French midfielder with German striker Mario Gomez in the 64th minute.

It took Bayern over an hour to crack the Israeli defense with a goal by defender Daniel van Buyten in the 64th minute. However, Bayern's 20-year-old newcomer Thomas Mueller shone again on Tuesday by repeating his weekend double in the German Bundesliga with two goals in the 85th and 88th minute.

"We had difficulties. We were happy after the first goal. My goals were just a safeguard," said Mueller.

"I think we played an excellent first half but without making any goals. In the second half we lost too many balls and things were a little disorganized. I changed that and in the end we scored," said van Gaal.

Bayern's main contender to head the group is Juventus Turin, but the Italians on home turf only managed a 1:1 draw against French side Girodins Bordeaux, giving Bayern a two point lead in Group A.

Madrid and Chelsea take the lead

In Group C Spanish side Real Madrid went to the top of the table with a stinging but unsurprising 5:2 victory over Swiss team Zurich. However, Italian side AC Milan are in close pursuit after beating Olympic Marseille 2:1 in France.

In Group D English side Chelsea went to the top of the table after beating Portuguese side FC Porto 1:0 at Stamford Bridge. Atletico Madrid failed to impress against Greek side APOEL Nicosia with a goalless 0:0 draw.

There will be more Champions League action on Wedesday, with a total of eight matches in four more groups. Germany's VfB Stuttgart will be taking on Scottish side Glasgow Rangers in Group G.

nk/dpa/AFP/Reuters

Editor: Matt Zuvela