Leverkusen reach UEFA Champions League group stage

Bayer Leverkusen cruised to a 4-0 victory over Copenhagen as Stefan Kiessling produced a brace in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs.

The "Werkself" secured a Champions League spot Wednesday as they overcame Copenhagen 7-2 on aggregate, reports Xinhua.

The Germans left no doubts on their qualification for the group stage of Europe's top flight as they sealed the deal with three first-half-goals.

Copenhagen failed to repeat their performance from the first leg at home, where they gave Leverkusen a hard fight.

Leverkusen started brightly and opened the scoring when Son Heung Min utilised a back heel pass by Stefan Kiessling to slot home into the far post corner with just two minutes played.

Leverkusen doubled the lead only five minutes later as Hakan Calhanoglu scored with a deflected free kick goal.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Leverkusen scored their third goal of the game. Danny Amankwaa brought down Tin Jedvaj inside the box, allowing Kiessling to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot.

Copenhagen never posed any threat for Leverkusen's defence; meanwhile the hosts were not done with the scoring. Kiessling wrapped up his brace to kill the game ahead of schedule in the 66th minute against hapless visitors from Denmark, who will settle for the UEFA Europa League.