Lewandowski’s 11-minute hat trick helps Bayern advance in champions league

MUNICH: Whatever hope Salzburg had of overcoming Bayern Munich was extinguished by Robert Lewandowski scoring a hat trick in 11 minutes. It was game over by the time Lewandowski’s third hit the net in the 23rd minute on Tuesday to make it the quickest treble ever seen at the start of a Champions League match. A second leg that started at 1-1 was tilted 4-1 in Bayern’s favor by the striker’s scoring masterclass.

An 8-2 aggregate win to reach the quarterfinals was completed by further goals from Serge Gnabry, a double from Thomas Müller, and Leroy Sané. At least Salzburg avoided complete humiliation of not scoring with Maurits Kjaergaard netting for the Austrian team in Bavaria. “That was a statement win,” Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said.

“I think we showed a different side of ourselves today and didn’t concede as many chances on the break. We were also more stable in defense, which obviously gives us hope that things can continue in that vein.” Tuesday’s other round of 16 game was far tighter with Liverpool relying on its 2-0 victory at Inter Milan to advance after losing 1-0 at Anfield. It was three weeks ago when Bayern was reliant on a late equalizer from Kingsley Coman to avoid losing the first leg.

After failing to score — or even hit the target in Salzburg — Lewandowski has now taken his season tally to 42 goals in all competitions. It took only 12 minutes to score his first against Salzburg, from the penalty spot after being brought down by Maximilian Wober. The defender fouled him again and Lewandowski converted his penalty again in the 21st.