Lewandowski Bayern Salzburg 2022Getty

Lewandowski sets new Champions League record against Salzburg with fastest hat-trick in competition history

Robert Lewandowski wasted no time in putting RB Salzburg to the sword on Tuesday, as he netted three times for Bayern Munich to set a new Champions League record for the fastest hat-trick in the competition's history.

The 2019-20 champions went into the second leg with the tie poised at 1-1.

But thanks to Lewandowski, any fears of an upset were dispelled in rapid fashion.

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Three for Lewa

The Poland star needed just 12 minutes to get his name on the scoresheet, converting a penalty to put his side up 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate.

And nine minutes later he was on target again from the spot, before completing his hat-trick within a mere 120 seconds of returning to the centre-circle.

In total Lewandowski needed just 23 minutes from kick-off to reach three, making Champions League history.

He is now the fastest hat-trick scorer ever in the competition, beating Marco Simone's previous mark.

Serge Gnabry then hit the net to complete a torrid spell for Salzburg and put Bayern's presence in the quarters beyond doubt even before the half-time whistle had sounded.

The bigger picture

Tuesday's haul additionally restored Lewandowski's position as the Champions League's top scorer in 2021-22.

He now has 12 goals in this year's competition, one ahead of Sebastien Haller, who has enjoyed a stunning campaign so far for Ajax.

In total the Pole boasts 42 goals in 35 games in all competitions for Bayern, an incredible strike-rate and one which leaves him well-placed to surpass the 48 he managed for the Bavarians last term.

Further reading

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