Spanish giants Real Madrid put their domestic problems behind them with a stylish 4-0 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow to move to the top of Group A yesterday.

Real fell into the domestic relegation zone last week but they showed they are likely to remain a formidable force in Europe this season with an excellent attacking display to overwhelm their Russian opponents.

Goals from striker Pedro Munitis, Portuguese star Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and his fellow Brazilian Savio wrapped up an emphatic win at the Bernabeu.

Real had dominated throughout, Figo testing Ruslan Nigmatullin in the Lokomotiv goal early on with a strike from the edge of the area.

Eventually the Real pressure told and on 40 minutes the home side took the lead. Raul's cross found Munitis and the striker blasted into the top corner.

Real doubled their lead nine minutes after the break. Munitis again had the Lokomotiv defence in trouble and when Yuri Drozdov hauled him down the referee pointed the spot. Figo stepped up to make it 2-0.

Real finally made it 3-0 when Roberto Carlos jinked in from the right onto his deadly left-foot and lashed in a superb shot in the 81st minute. Savio made it 4-0 with an easy 87th minute strike.

French champions Nantes defeated Italy's Lazio 3-1 in Rome in Group in a result that could mean the end of Dino Zoff's second stint in charge of the Roman club.

Nantes were full value for their win. An early goal by their Argentinian defender Nestor Fabbri was cancelled out by Lazio's Portuguesestopper Fernando Couto.

But second-half efforts from Sylvain Armand and Stephane Ziani ensured the visitors won the day and German referee Herbert Fandel's finalwhistle was greeted by a chorus of boos by Lazio fans.

Italy's AS Roma were left chasing their first Champions League victory after grinding out a 0-0 draw in a bruising battle with Anderlecht in Belgium.

Roma, beaten 2-1 at home by Real Madrid last week, had gone into the game hoping to relaunch their challenge.