Maanum scores twice as Arsenal routs Leuven 4-0 in the first leg of Women’s Champions League playoff

LEUVEN, Belgium (AP) - Defending champion Arsenal took a big step toward the Women's Champions League quarterfinals by routing OH Leuven 4-0 in the first leg of their knockout playoff round on Wednesday.

After the victory in the inaugural Women's Champions Cup on Feb 1, Arsenal dominated from the start in Belgium to close in on a quarterfinal meeting against London rival Chelsea.

Frida Maanum led the visitors with two goals, and Olivia Smith showed she was worth the record transfer fee Arsenal paid Liverpool for her in July. Also, Kim Little came on as substitute to play her 400th game for Arsenal.

Maanum headed in the opener after meeting a cross by Caitlin Foord from the right in the 22nd minute.

Smith doubled the advantage a quarter of an hour later with a clinical finish as the Canada forward found the far corner of the net with a first-time low shot. Maanum was left unmarked in the box to add her second, with Foord setting her up again early in the second half before substitute Alessia Russo completed the rout with her fifth of the campaign.

The revamped Women's Champions League format has followed the men's competition with an opening league phase of six rounds instead of eight.

The top four in the standings - Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea and Bayern - advanced directly to the quarterfinals. Teams placed fifth to 12th went to the playoffs round.

Arsenal finished the league phase in fifth while Leuven was 12th in its first campaign in the European top competition.

The two met in the 18-team league phase with Arsenal beating Leuven 3-0 away.

Paris FC hosts Real Madrid later Wednesday while the remaining two playoffs, Wolfsburg vs. Juventus and Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester United are scheduled for Thursday.