Lyon are almost assured of playing in the group stage of this year's UEFA Champions League after they recorded a thumping 5-1 win against Anderlecht in the first leg of their qualifying play-off.

The French side floored their cross-border neighbours with four first-half goals, three of which were scored by summer signings. It was a familiar name, however, that got the ball rolling when teenage midfielder Miralem Pjanic netted after 10 minutes before Lisandro Lopez, signed from Porto last month, fired home a penalty with 15 minutes gone.

Fellow new boys Michel Bastos (39) and Bafetimbi Gomis (42) then struck in a four-minute period just before half-time to virtually end the tie as a contest. Matias Suarez gave Anderlecht some reason to cheer with a goal after 58 minutes, but Gomis ensured their joy were short-lived with his second of the game five minutes later.

FC Zurich and Debreceni, meanwhile, are both on course to reach the group stage for the first time after they recorded away wins against Ventspils and Levski Sofia respectively. Zurich have struggled in their domestic league so far this season, winning just twice in their opening six games, but they had few problems in Latvia tonight winning 3-0.

Goals from Switzerland international Johan Vonlanthen (12), Silvan Aegerter (55) and Dusan Djuric (75) were enough to give them a firm advantage. Debreceni, the Hungarian champions, were indebted to a 76th-minute winner from Peter Czvitkovics for their 2-1 success against Levski in the Bulgarian capital.

Laszlo Bodnar had opened the scoring for the visitors after 12 minutes and while Levski's French midfielder Cedric Bardon (51) equalised, Czvitkovics had the final say when he turned Tibor Dombi's cross home. Maccabi Haifa were also away winners, beating Austrian champions Salzburg 2-1.

Substitute Shlomi Arbeitman's scored the decisive goal six minutes from the end. Teenage striker Mohammad Ghadir (22) had put the Greens ahead before former Germany striker Alexander Zickler equalised with 57 minutes played.

Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa were also winners on the road with a goal six minutes from time from substitute Shlomi Arbeitman earning a 2-1 win at Salzburg. Georgian striker Vladimer Dvalishvili headed Haifa in front before Alexander Zickler equalised on 57 minutes for the Austrians.