Robert Lewandowski became the Champions League’s third top scorer of all time as holders Bayern Munich put one foot in the quarter-finals with a 4-1 thrashing of Lazio in their last-16 first leg in Rome on Tuesday.
The Polish striker pounced on a poorly judged back pass after nine minutes to steer in his 72nd goal in the competition.
The Man of the Match 🌟 #LAZFCB @lewy_official #UCL pic.twitter.com/Osz6dM4f6W
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) February 23, 2021
In doing so, he surpassed former Real Madrid striker Raul in the competition scoring charts to reach a total only bettered by Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo, with 134 goals, and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, with 119.
Number of Champions League games to reach 72 goals:
👕0⃣9⃣1⃣ Leo Messi
👕0⃣9⃣5⃣ Robert Lewandowski
👕1⃣0⃣9⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo #UCL pic.twitter.com/Vl7zBmyco1— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 23, 2021
In the other Champions League game on Tuesday night, Olivier Giroud’s spectacular overhead kick gave Chelsea an outstanding victory against Atletico Madrid in last 16 first leg in Bucharest.
That’s a very happy @_OlivierGiroud_! 😆
Look after it, Oli! 🏆 #ATMCHE pic.twitter.com/RlNQ4FXB4s
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 23, 2021
Giroud’s superb moment of improvisation not only delivered the win and a vital away goal but also continued new manager Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten start at Chelsea and put them in pole position to reach the quarter-finals.
