Since becoming a member of Barcelona in the summertime of 2022, Robert Lewandowski has cemented his place as one of the crucial prolific strikers within the membership’s current historical past. The Polish ahead showcased his prowess as soon as once more throughout Barcelona’s Champions League conflict towards Benfica, equaling a milestone beforehand achieved by the enduring MSN trio—Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar.
Barcelona confronted Benfica in Portugal on Matchday 7 of the Champions League group stage, aiming to safe direct qualification for the spherical of 16. The house facet struck first with Vangelis Pavlidis opening the scoring, however Lewandowski leveled the sport from the penalty spot within the thirteenth minute, preserving Barcelona’s hopes alive.
With this aim, Lewandowski grew to become solely the fifth participant in Barcelona’s historical past to attain eight or extra targets in a single Champions League season. Earlier than him, this feat was completed by the legendary MSN trio and Brazilian star Rivaldo.
Whereas Neymar and Suarez achieved it as soon as every, Messi stands alone with the exceptional file of surpassing this milestone 9 instances throughout his illustrious profession at Barcelona.
Rivaldo was the primary to succeed in this benchmark within the 1999-2000 Champions League season, scoring 10 targets and offering one help in 14 video games. Regardless of his stellar efficiency, Barcelona’s title hopes have been dashed within the semifinals by Valencia, with an combination lack of 5-3.
Lewandowski joins Cristiano Ronaldo in Champions League historical past
Within the thrilling 5-4 recreation between Benfica and Barcelona, Lewandowski scored a brace from the penalty spot, extremely contributing for his crew’s comeback. Other than the direct qualification to the spherical of 16 of the Champions League, he additionally reached one other milestone, however now with Cristiano Ronaldo.
By changing two penalties within the thirteenth and 78th minutes, Lewandowski equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s file for essentially the most penalty targets in Champions League historical past, with 19.
Ronaldo and Lewandowski now share the highest spot on this class, with Messi shut behind in third place with 18 penalty targets. Following them are Sergio Agüero with 11, and a three-way tie for fifth, that includes Luis Figo, Harry Kane, and Ruud van Nistelrooy, every with 10.
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