Bayern Munich 5-2 Benfica: Robert Lewandowski signs ANOTHER hat-trick

After two weeks without a coach and a catastrophic defeat, Bayern Munich have found their way back to victory.

The German champions booked a Champions League spot on Tuesday last 16 as Robert Lewandowski scored a hat trick for a 5-2 win over Benfica to extend Bayern’s perfect record of four wins to four in the group stage. This brought Lewandowski to 81 career goals in his 100th Champions League game.

The game marked the return of Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann after four away games – including a 4-0 win over Benfica in Portugal – after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The Pole was against Bayern’s main man against Benfica at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night

During Nagelsmann’s absence, Bayern’s previously reliable defense collapsed in a 5-0 German Cup loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach last week, the club’s worst result in more than 40 years.

Against Benfica there were signs of this neglect, as poor marking at the start allowed Benfica to score a narrow goal ruled out for offside. It happened again when Bayern failed to cope with a free kick that led Benfica defender Morato to score when Bayern led 2-0.

Up front it was business as usual as Bayern’s forward quartet of Lewandowski, Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry combined to dismantle Benfica.

First Coman danced in the Benfica penalty area in front of two defenders before crossing for Lewandowski to score the opening goal in the 26th. The Polish striker was the supplier six minutes later, setting the ball up for Gnabry to finish in style with a heel.

Morato’s goal and a missed penalty from Lewandowski – who had scored his previous seven – slowed Bayern’s progress before half-time.

Right after the break, Sané scored Bayern’s third goal with a powerful volley after Alphonso Davies landed a pass from Joshua Kimmich.

Leroy Sane also came on with Bayern now virtually assured of first place in their group

The fourth came on a counterattack with Sané setting up Lewandowski to finish with a chip on the goalie.

Even with Bayern in control and assured of qualifying with two games remaining, there was time for more nerves in defense.

Benfica substitute Darwin Nuñez scored a consolation goal in the 74th as Bayern’s defense was slow to react in a counterattack. Lewandowski finally pulled off his hat trick in the 85th with another chip finish.

Serge Gnabry was another on the scoresheet for Bayern, who have won four of four wins

Benfica reduced the deficit before the break with Morato headed in the 38th minute which was Bayern’s first goal conceded in four Champions League games, but a superb shot from Leroy Sane early in the second half wiped out everything hope for return.

The visitors scored again in the 75th minute with Darwin Nunez. Bayern lead with 12 points after their fourth win in the group, with Benfica stuck in four.

Barcelona moved up to second out of six after beating Dynamo Kyiv, who are last with a point. The two best teams qualify for the round of 16.