Real Madrid took a giant step towards qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League thanks to a comfortable home win against French side Olympique Lyon.

Karim Benzema, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Sergio Ramos all got on the scoresheet as Real Madrid enjoyed an easy night against a side that has caused them a lot of problems in recent seasons.

Former Lyon striker Benzema, preferred in the starting 11 to Gonzalo Higuain, the striker who had scored three hat-tricks in his last four matches, opened the scoring after 19 minutes. The Frenchman scored from close range after Cristiano Ronaldo had flicked on a Mesut Ozil corner.

Madrid were completely on top, but had to wait until the second half to double their lead. This time Benzema took advantage of a defensive slip to set up Khedira, who had a straightforward finish for his first goal as a Real Madrid player.

Mesut Ozil scored Real Madrid's third goal after 54 minutes with a shot from a narrow angle that Lyon keeper Hugo Loris helped into his own net. The keeper was not at his best in the goal and from that moment it was just a question of how many goals Madrid would score.

In the end they only scored one more as central defender Sergio Ramos scored from a corner 10 minutes from the end of the game.

Real Madrid now have nine goals from just three matches in their group and a win in Lyon in two weeks time will assure their place in the next phase of the competition.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet