Hamburg, Aug 20 (DPA) Lyon as good as confirmed their place in the group stage of the Champions League as they thrashed Anderlecht 5-1 in the first leg of the playoffs.

FC Zurich won 3-0 at Ventspils, and Atletico Madrid, Debrecen and Maccabi Haifa are also well-placed after away wins.

In France, Miralem Pjanic put Lyon ahead with a ninth-minute free-kick, and Lisandro Lopez added a second from the penalty spot six minutes later.

Two goals in quick succession from Fernandes Michel Batsos and Beftimbi Gomis just before half-time all but finished the tie.

Matias Suarez pulled one back after 58 minutes, but Gomis soon restored the four-goal margin.

Zurich can be confident of progressing after a 3-0 win over Ventspils in Latvia.

Johan Vonlanthen put the Swiss champions ahead after 12 minutes, with further goals from Silvan Aegerter and Dusan Djuric putting them in an almost unassailable position.

Atletico Madrid beat Panthinaikos 3-2 in Athens, a victory created around the River Plate estuary.