Robert Lewandowski made headlines by becoming only the third player in history to score 100 goals in the UEFA Champions League during Barcelona’s impressive 3-0 victory over French club Brest. The Polish striker’s remarkable achievement puts him alongside football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 10th minute, converting a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Marco Bizot, marking his iconic 100th Champions League goal. This win elevated Barcelona to second place in the group stage standings with 12 points, just one point behind leaders Inter Milan. In contrast, Brest now sits in ninth place with 10 points.
The match showcased Barcelona’s dominance, as they launched 19 attempts at goal compared to Brest’s lack of shots on target. Despite having several opportunities to extend their lead, Dani Olmo ultimately scored the second goal with a brilliant solo effort. Lewandowski sealed the victory in injury time with a well-placed shot following an assist from Alejandro Balde.
In his post-match remarks, Lewandowski expressed his joy about reaching this milestone, stating, “I’m very happy, very happy. 101 goals in the Champions League is a great number.” He acknowledged the team’s struggles in the domestic league but remained optimistic about their potential for improvement.
At the age of 36, Lewandowski continues to show exceptional form, having netted 22 goals across all competitions this season. He leads the scoring charts in the Champions League with seven goals and has 15 goals with two assists in LaLiga.
Lewandowski’s journey in the Champions League began in 2011 with Borussia Dortmund, where he scored 17 goals in 28 matches. His time at Bayern Munich further elevated his goal tally before joining Barcelona two years ago. Despite being fourth on the list of all-time top Champions League scorers, he recognizes the challenges ahead, particularly the records held by Messi and Ronaldo.
Looking forward, Barcelona has a busy schedule ahead with three LaLiga matches before heading to Germany to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on December 11.
Overall, Lewandowski’s achievement not only reflects his individual skill and perseverance but also highlights Barcelona’s potential as they continue striving for success in both domestic and European competitions.