Lewandowski scores a hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Benfica at home
Bayern Munich strolled into the Champions League last 16 with a 5-2 home win over Benfica, with Robert Lewandowski scoring a hat-trick and missing a penalty.
Benfica had an early goal disallowed before Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry scored twice in six minutes to put the hosts ahead. In the 38th minute, Morato equalized for the visitors, then Lewandowski missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time, hitting his shot straight at Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Soon after the break, Leroy Sané’s excellent finish restored Julian Nagelsmann’s side’s two-goal lead, but Lewandowski made amends on the hour, clipping the ball over Vlachodimos to complete a sweeping team effort. With 15 minutes remaining, Darwin Nez halved the lead in half, but Lewandowski completed his hat-trick by controlling Manuel Neuer’s clearance and slamming home from the edge of the area.
26 group stage games unbeaten (W23 D3) 💪
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 2, 2021
Bayern book their place in the last 16 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/bHW3tyIsbd
Bayern Munich leads Group E with four victories from four games and 17 goals scored. Ansu Fati’s second-half strike secured Barcelona’s victory over Dynamo Kyiv, dropping Benfica to third place. On matchday five, Jorge Jesus’ side travels to Camp Nou for a game that will likely determine who advances to the next round in second place.