There were records set at the Allianz Arena as Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski sank Wolfsburg with an incredible nine minute, five goal salvo after coming on as a half time substitute. Wolfsburg had led 1-0 against at the break through German-born, Italian midfielder Daniel Caligiuri, who had beaten Manuel Neuer at his near post in the 26th minute.
Pep Guardiola’s introduction of Lewandowski in place of Thiago Alcantara transformed his team’s fortunes, with the Polish hitman scoring in the 51st, 52nd, 55th, 57th and 60th minute to secure an emphatic win for Bayern, while becoming the fastest player to score five times in a single Bundesliga game. It was a masterclass in the art of finishing, with a thunderous 25 yard drive for his second goal, while saving the best for last with a superb flying volley from just inside the area for his fifth. His haul was all the more impressive as Wolfsburg had kept four consecutive clean sheets in the lead up to the game, and were unbeaten in 14 games. Earlier in the game Bayern ‘keeper Neuer was almost caught out from 60 yards while playing sweeper-keeper, but Josuha Guilavogui’s effort drifted just wide.
Robert Lewandowski in stats:
– fastest hat-trick in Bundesliga history
– fastest four-goal haul in Bundesliga history
– fastest five-goal haul in Bundesliga history
– first sub in Bundesliga history to score five goals
Lewandowski needed only 9 touches for these 5 goals!
In Spain, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid won their fourth league game of the season, defeating Granada 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon. Frenchman Antoine Griezmann scored both early and late on to bring his tally to five goals in all competitions so far this campaign, and send his side level at the top of La Liga with Barcelona, who are in action at Celta Vigo on Wednesday evening.
In Ligue 1, PSG went four points clear at the summit with a routine home victory over Guingamp at the Parc des Princes. Javier Pastore, Angel Di Maria and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all got their names on the scoresheet, with the enigmatic Swede also missing a penalty kick three minutes from full time for Laurent Blanc’s side.
In Serie A, Liverpool flop Mario Balotelli marked the first start of his second spell at AC Milan with a goal. The maverick striker opened the scoring in a 3-2 victory away at Udinese, finding the top corner with a 20 yard free kick five minutes into the game.
In the English League Cup, big spending Manchester City progressed safely into the next round of the competition with a 4-1 win at Premier League strugglers Sunderland. This summer’s big money signings, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne, who cost a combined £104 million, both found the net, as did fan favourite Sergio Aguero. An own goal from Vito Mannone and a first Sunderland goal from Ola Toivonen completing the scoring.