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Robert Lewandowski “can catch” Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi following his latest Champions League hat-trick, according to former Bayern Munich forward Mario Gomez.
Lewandowski dazzled in his 100th Champions League appearance, capping the European milestone with three goals in Tuesday’s 5-2 rout of visitors Benfica as Bayern sealed their last-16 berth.
The Ballon d’Or contender became the sixth player to score on his 100th appearance in the Champions League, after Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, Andrea Pirlo and Toni Kroos, while the Poland captain is the first player to score more than once in the milestone game.
Bayern talisman Lewandowski also celebrated his fourth Champions League hat-trick – the third-most in the competition after Manchester United’s Ronaldo and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi (eight each). At 33 years and 73 days, he is the fourth-oldest hat-trick scorer after Olivier Giroud (34 years 63 days), Ronaldo and Claudio Pizarro (34 years 35 days).
As Lewandowski continues to flourish in Munich, shattering records, Gomez hailed the red-hot striker as Ronaldo and Messi – who have 11 Ballon d’Or honours between them – continue to dominate.
“He is playing a different sport; he’s in a different league,” Gomez told Amazon Prime Video post-match. “He still has a few years left, he can catch them up [Messi and Ronaldo].”
Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 26th minute at Allianz Arena, where Serge Gnabry doubled Bayern’s lead six minutes later.
After Morato reduced the deficit, Lewandowski then failed to convert a penalty in first-half stoppage time, though Leroy Sane did make it 3-1 early in the second half.
After his unsuccessful spot-kick, Lewandowski scored a delightful second goal just past the hour mark as he dinked the ball over Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Lewandowski completed his hat-trick six minutes from the end after Benfica substitute Darwin Nunez had bagged the team’s second 10 minutes earlier.
“In the first 20 minutes, I barely touched the ball,” Lewandowski told Amazon Prime Video. “It’s not easy as a striker to stay patient.
“After the first goal, things were a bit easier. My favourite goal today was the second. I’m annoyed by the two goals we conceded.
“That motivates us. It’s especially important for [Manuel] Neuer.”
Lewandowski added: “I didn’t connect well with the penalty, that was a mistake from me. I saw exactly where the goalkeeper was jumping and still shot towards the wrong corner.
“Fortunately, we still scored a few more goals and picked up three more points. Another clear victory.”
