Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored a remarkable first-half hat-trick despite his team having been reduced to 10-men early on against Stuttgart.
Sitting atop the Bundesliga before the day's action got underway, Bayern Munich made it to half-time 4-0 ahead in Saturday's clash with mid-table Stuttgart.
After getting off to a relatively slow start, things turned sour for Hansi Flick's team when Canadian full-back Alphonso Davies was sent-off within the opening 15 minutes.
The result of a dangerous tackle, it momentarily appeared as if the dominant force in German football may be in for a difficult afternoon.
Fives minutes later, however, Robert Lewandowski had his first goal of the afternoon.
Robert Lewandowski's 33rd Bundesliga goal of the season 🤯
This one is pure striker's instincts, the keeper didn't even see it!
Goal. Machine. pic.twitter.com/diprNoaGvB— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 20, 2021
The Polish striker's 33rd Bundesliga goal of the season, it only took him about five minutes more to get his 34th and double Bayern Munich's lead.
A beautifully well-directed header, before the game made its way to half-time he had struck his third and grabbed a perfect right-foot, left-foot and header hat-trick.
Just sitting here waiting for Robert Lewandowski to complete his hat-trick, which he does in the 38th minute 👏
Three goals today.
35 in 25 Bundesliga games.
40+ in all comps for the SIXTH season in a row.
This guy is not normal. pic.twitter.com/ihS3jduAjc— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 20, 2021
The latest in an an obscenely good spell of form for Lewandowski, he now stands 15 goals clear of Erling Haaland (2nd) on the Bundesliga's list of top scorers this season.
Moreover, it moves the Polish striker clear into second spot behind Gerd Müller in the list of all-time Bundesliga top scorers.
That being said, he'll still have to score the guts of another 100 league goals if he wishes to surpass the iconic German striker who retired with a record of 365 goals to his name.
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Elsewhere, Republic of Ireland 'keeper Darren Randolph has backed his replacement to do a "brilliant job" as he misses the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
"I spoke to Caoimhín last week to check up on his injury," Randolph told OTB Sports, "and he said he'd be 'touch and go' to make the squad but he's in the squad with the four young pups named.
"Whoever Stephen goes with, they'll do a brilliant job."
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