Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick while Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane netted for Bayern to book a place in the knock-out stage.
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Bayern Munich defeated Benfica 5-2 at Allianz Arena on Tuesday to qualify for the round of 16 of Champions League with two games to spare. Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick, set up another goal and missed a penalty in his 100th appearance. Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane also netted for the hosts while Morato and Darwin Nunez reduced the deficit for Benfica. Elsewhere Barcelona secured a morale boosting win over Dynamo Kyiv to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stage alive.
Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 26th minute. Kingsley Coman went past two defenders down the right side of the penalty area before delivering a precise cross for Lewandowski to head home at the far post.
Six minutes after the goal, Bayern doubled the lead through Gnabry. Kimmich’s overhead ball found the run of Lewandowski inside the box. The Polish striker’s cut back was slotted in with a clever back-heel flick by Gnabry.
In the 38th minute, the visitor pulled one back through Morato. Left-wing-back Alex Grimaldo’s cross was headed in by Morato to make the score 2-1. On the stroke of half-time, Bayern were awarded a penalty as Lucas Veríssimo blocked Leon Goretzka’s shot with his hand inside the box. However, Lewandowski’s tame spot kick was saved by Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Four minutes after the break, Sane scored Bayern’s fourth goal of the night. Kimmich spread the ball to Davies on the left side of the penalty area. The Canadian full-back headed the ball down to the path of Sane, who slotted the ball in with a side on left-footed first time volley.
A minute after the hour-mark, the home side scored their fourth of the night from a breakaway move. Lewandowski started the move in his own half as he played the ball to Kimmich, who released Sane up front with an aerial ball. Lewandowski raced forward from his own half to the opposition area and collected the ball from Sane before chipping it over an advancing goalkeeper to score his second of the night.
In the 74th minute, Benfica cut the deficit as Nunez slotted the ball in after being set up by Joao Mario. Six minutes from time, Lewandowski completed his fourth Champions League hat-trick to complete the drubbing and book Bayern Munich a spot in the knockout stage.
Barcelona, who traveled to Ukraine with an interim coach and two defeats in its last three games, secured a crucial win against Dynamo Kyiv to boost its chances of advancing to the round of 16.
Andu Fati scored with a powerful first time strike from inside the area to give the Catalan club only its second win in the Champions League this season. After starting their campaign with 3-0 defeats against Bayern Munich and Benfica, Barcelona are now in a much better position to qualify for the next round.
The victory left Barcelona with six points in Group E, six points behind leaders Bayern Munich and two more than third placed Benfica. Meanwhile Dynamo Kyiv is last with one point.
Barcelona next hosts Benfica on November 24 and a win will be enough to take them through to the next round. The Catalan club has never failed to make the knockout stage of the competition since 2001.
