Champions League 2021: Robert Lewandowski hat-trick powers Bayern Munich into Round of 16

Bayern Munich qualifies to the Round of 16 of the Uefa Champions League with two spare games in hand. Robert Lewandowski hits hat-trick against Benfica marking his 81st goal of the Competition. 

Bayern Munich's forward Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick, set up another goal and missed a penalty on his 100th Champions League appearance as they crushed Benfica 5-2 on Tuesday to cruise into the knockout stage with two Group E matches to spare.

The 2020 world player of the year headed home his first goal in the 26th minute and chipped in another just past the hour after also setting up Serge Gnabry for a sensational backheel flick in the 32nd. He did miss a penalty in first-half stoppage time but sealed his treble in the 85th minute. It was his 81st goal in Europe's elite club competition.

"I do not know if it was the perfect game because I did miss a penalty, but better to miss early than late in the game. Luckily we scored several more goals and got the three points. I did not get the ball often in the first 20 minutes but you have to stay patent as a striker. To be honest I never thought I would ever play so many games in the Champions League and score so many goals." Lewandowski said.