Five star Plzeň book their place at Pyunik's expense

Czech titleholders FC Viktoria Plzeň had one foot in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round courtesy of an impressive first-leg performance in Yerevan but made sure of their place with a resounding 5-1 home victory against FC Pyunik.

With the match seemingly headed towards the break goalless, Plzeň scored three goals in quick succession at the end of the first half to put the tie beyond their visitors' reach. Edgar Malakyan pulled one back for Vardan Minasyan's side but a second of the night for Daniel Kolář and a stoppage-time strike from Václav Pilař completed a memorable night for the competition debutants.

Marek Bakoš, who scored twice in Yerevan a week ago, opened the scoring for the hosts seven minutes before the break after great build-up play by František Rajtoral. Four minutes later Bakoš grabbed his and Plzeň's second of the night, slotting past Karen Israelyan after a wonderful run from Marián Čišovský. Kolář then capped a sensational end to the half for the Czech side, latching onto Milan Petržela's centre to score from close range.

Shortly after the break the visitors responded through Malakyan, but in truth the tie was over. Kolář's 57th-minute effort and Pilař's strike as full time approached sealed an emphatic victory for Pavel Vrba's side who will face either Rosenborg BK or Iceland's Breidablik in the third qualifying round with the Norweigan side 5-0 up from the first leg.