Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski has etched his name in Champions League history, joining Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo at the summit of penalty-kick success in the competition. The Polish striker converted two crucial penalties in Barcelona's thrilling 5-4 victory over Benfica on Tuesday, bringing his total to 19 successful spot-kicks - equaling Ronaldo's record accumulated during his spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
The record-breaking performance came during an extraordinary nine-goal spectacle in Lisbon, where Lewandowski and Raphinha each scored twice, with Eric Garcia also finding the net for the Catalans. The achievement sees Lewandowski surpass former Barcelona icon Lionel Messi's tally of 18 penalties in the competition.
The match itself was a roller-coaster affair, with the home side establishing a commanding 3-1 lead by halftime. Barcelona's resurgence began when Raphinha narrowed the gap after the hour mark, though their momentum was temporarily halted by Ronald Araujo's unfortunate own goal. However, the visitors mounted an impressive comeback, netting three times in the final quarter of the game to secure a memorable victory.
Lewandowski's broader achievements in the Champions League are equally noteworthy, as he currently holds third place in the competition's all-time scoring charts with 103 goals. He trails only Ronaldo and Messi, who amassed 140 and 129 goals respectively before their departures from European football in 2023.
The prolific striker won't have much time to savor this milestone, as he and his Barcelona teammates prepare for a crucial La Liga encounter against Valencia this Sunday under manager Hansi Flick's guidance.
