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Brazilian striker Grafite scored a hat-trick to steer German champions VfL Wolfsburg, making their first Champions League appearance, to a 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow in Group B.

Grafite's quality proved the difference between the sides in an entertaining match which put the German champions level at the top of the Group B standings with Manchester United.

Wolfsburg's Christian Gentner made two early attempts on goal but the hosts, starting with three strikers, had to wait until late in the half to celebrate.

Grafite, last season's Bundesliga top scorer and making his competition debut, chased down a Zvjezdan Misimovic through ball to slot home on 35 minutes.

Five minutes later he converted a penalty he had won, coolly sending keeper Igor Akinfeyev the wrong way to double the lead.

Moscow, largely toothless in the first half, pressed the Germans after the break and pulled one back when striker Guilherme set up Alan Dzagoev on the right to fire home.

New Moscow coach Juande Ramos, who replaced Brazilian Zico only five days ago, ordered his players to pour forward and even added another striker in the final six minutes in search of an equaliser.

Nika Piliev and Dzagoev came agonising close before Grafite sealed Wolfsburg's win three minutes from time, picking up a Marcel Schaefer pass in the box and turning well to beat keeper Igor Akinfeyev for a third time.

Reuters