Bayern Munich have booked a place in the Champions League Round of 16 as Robert Lewandowski scored a hat trick in a match that would ensure Bayern’s perfect record of four wins in four group stage matches continues.
The game saw the return of Bayern manager, Julian Nagelsmann, who has been absent for four games after testing positive for the coronavirus. He was absent when Bayern beat Benfica 4-0 in Portugal and also against Borussia Mönchengladbach when Bayern collapsed to a 5-0 defeat, their biggest defeat in over 40 years.
Although there were signs of sloppiness in the Bayern defense line, it was business as usual upfront as the attacking quartet of Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman and Robert Lewandowski helped dismantle Benfica.
Lewandowski scored the opening goal in the 26th minute after heading home Kingsley Coman’s cross. Six minutes later, he provided an assist for Serge Gnabry to put Bayern 2-0 up. Benfica got one back through Morato while Lewandowski missed a penalty before halftime.
After the break, Leroy Sane volleyed in Bayern’s third before setting up Lewandowski’s second goal. Benfica substitute Darwin Nuñez scored a consolation in the 74th to make the scoreline 4-2.
Lewandowski finally got his hat trick in the 85th minute with a beautiful chip over Benfica’s goalkeeper. That took Lewandowski to 81 career goals in what would be his 100th appearances for Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Bayern are top of the table with 12 points and have now qualified for Round of 16. Barcelona are second on the log with 6 points after a narrow win over Dynamo Kyiv, who currently sits last with one point. Benfica are in third place with four points. The top two teams will advance to the next round.
