Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick inside the opening 23 minutes to become the fastest player to score a hat trick in the Uefa Champions League as Bayern Munich thrashed Red Bull Salzburg 7-1 making it 8-2 on aggregate to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Robert Lewandowski Becomes Fastest Player to Score a Hat trick in UCL
The Poland captain, on his 100th start in the competition, confidently stroked home two penalties inside 21 minutes, after twice being recklessly brought down by Salzburg defender Maximilian Wober, the second confirmed after a VAR review.
The first spot-kick, swept into the bottom-left corner, was Lewandowski’s 40th goal of the season in all competitions. The former Dortmund striker added his third after chasing down an attempted clearance from visiting goalkeeper Philipp Kohn to tap in from close range.
It is the first time a Champions League hat-trick has been completed as early as the 23rd minute. Remember Lewandoski is the player with the record of the fastest player to score five goals in a single game. The hat trick is however not the quickest treble in the competition, with that record held by Bafetimbi Gomis following his three goals in eight minutes for Lyon in a 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb far back in 2011.
Lewandowski scored three while Thomas Muller scored twice as Serge Gnabry and Sane scored one each to make it seven. Maurits Kjaergaard scored the only goal for the visitors which was only but a consolation goal. After Ronaldo (seven) and Messi (five), Lewandowski is now the third player to score 10 or more goals in three or more different Champions League campaigns.
