On Wednesday night, Robert Lewandowski netted his 98th and 99th goal in the Champions League. The Varsovian is now one goal away from joining football gods Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the third player to score 100 times in the prestigious European competition.

FC Barcelona proceeded to a demolition of Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade. The Blaugranas took the lead via Martinez at the 13th minute, but the local team fought back and managed to equalise via Krunic at the 27th minute. At this point, although the visiting team largely dominated, it looked like it could be a somewhat balanced game. 

Robert Lewandowski decided otherwise. Just before half-time, the number 9 tapped in à ball which was dropped by the local keeper and gave back the lead to Barça. In the beginning of the second-half, the Pole found the net again and buried the hopes of the Serbian team. 

The match ended 5-2 in favour of the visitors and Lewy was substituted as there were about 20 minutes left. He could therefore not complete his hat-trick. After the match, Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick was asked about the reason for not allowing “Lewy” to at least try scoring his 100th Champions League goal. The German replied that had he known Lewandowski already had 99 goals, he would likely let him finish the game and that he “feels bad about it now”.

The Catalans are now back in the top 8 of the qualifying phase, which is synonymous with automatic qualification for the final phase of the Champions League. Their next game will take place on 26 November against Brest and all eyes will be on “El Profesor”, who will be extra extra-motivated to brake the magic landmark of 100 goals in UCL.

Image: X (@brfootball)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen