Four-goal Lazio lord it over Levski

S.S. Lazio kick-started their UEFA Europa League campaign by inflicting PFC Levski Sofia's heaviest home defeat in continental competition.

On course
Matuzalem and Mauro Zárate made the most of Lazio's first-half dominance to send the visitors in two up and Mourad Meghni and Tommaso Rocchi added further goals to ensure their side recovered from their Matchday 1 home loss to FC Salzburg. Levski will now attempt to get off the mark in Group G with their double-header against leaders Salzburg while Lazio have two meetings with Villarreal CF.

Bright start
Lazio started brightly, Meghni's early free-kick parried by Levski goalkeeper Tzvetan Dimitrov, who then had to be alert to run off his line to stop Rocchi's shot. Levski responded and Albano Bizzarri produced a good save from a Joãozinho free-kick, and Georgi Hristov's drive from the edge of the penalty area, after a great run from the left, whistled just wide.

First-half goals
However, Lazio opened the scoring after 22 minutes, Matuzalem making no mistake when set up by Zárate. The Argentinian striker had a goal of his own on the stroke of half-time, latching on to Rocchi's low cross with a powerful shot.

Victory sealed
Levski made an aggressive start to the second half. Hristov shot just off target and Cédric Bardon had the crowd on their feet momentarily when his effort dipped just wide. They were unable to turn possession into clear-cut chances, though, and Lazio were 3-0 up on 67 minutes when substitute Pasquale Foggia's through pass sent Meghni clear, and he made no mistake. Foggia's speculative effort forced a save from Dimitrov but he was beaten for a fourth time when the replacement produced another long ball and, when defender Yordan Miliev slipped, Rocchi pounced.