Lewandowski leads Bayern into last 16, Juventus also make KOs

DPA Berlin Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann returned from a coronavirus infection to witness a Robert Lewandowski masterclass as his side reached the ...

DPABerlinBayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann returned from a coronavirus infection to witness a Robert Lewandowski masterclass as his side reached the last 16 of the Champions League by crushing Benfica 5-2 on Tuesday.Lewandowski opened the scoring in Munich by heading in from close-range after Kingsley Coman danced to the byline. The Polish forward had a lively start to his 100th game in the Champions League as he assisted Serge Gnabry’s back-heeled second and missed a penalty inside the first half.Leroy Sane grabbed the third soon after the restart with a brilliant volley and Lewandowski marked his century by completing his hat-trick with a chip and a lob over keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.“I don’t know if the evening was perfect,” said Lewandowski. “I missed a penalty. That was a mistake from me.“Thankfully we’ve scored a couple more goals, me too.” Benfica had started well and had a goal disallowed but were ultimately outclassed by the 2020 champions despite Morato’s header cutting the deficit to 2-1 and Darwin Nunez’s late consolation in betwen Lewandowski’s 80th and 81st in the elite competition.While Bayern secured progress with two games to spare from Group E, Benfica fell to third, two points behind Barcelona, who won 1-0 at Dynamo Kiev to stay six behind Bayern.Sergi Barjuan continued as caretaker coach for Barca and saw Ansu Fati smash home the 71st minute winner to put the team in control of second place, before hosting Benfica in the penultimate round.“This was vital. Thank heavens we won,” said Marc Andre ter-Stegen, the Barcelona goalkeeper. “I know that Dynamo had some chances but that’ll always happen. In general, we produced a good display and I’m content.” Juventus are toiling in Serie A but stayed perfect in Group H thanks to Paulo Dybala’s double, the second with a retaken penalty, Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata beating Zenit St Petersburg 4-2.Title-holders Chelsea, three points behind, host Juventus next but are also on the verge of the last 16 after Hakim Ziyech struck the only goal for a 1-0 win away to Malmo.Ziyech finished a delightful cross from Callum Hudson-Odoi at the back post in the 56th minute to break the resistance of the determined hosts who remain bottom without a goal or point.Cristiano Ronaldo helped ease the pressure on his Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with two equalizers, the second a 92nd minute volley, securing a 2-2 draw at Atalanta.“It was a difficult game but we believed until the end,” Ronaldo told BT Sport. “I helped my team to get one point and I’m so happy.“We never give up. We believe until the end and it’s a good result for us.” Josip Ilicic and Duvan Zapata had each put the Bergamo hosts in front but United stay top of Group F on goal difference from Villarreal, who beat Young Boys 2-0, ahead of their visit to Spain next time.Atalanta, two points behind he leaders, remain in contention.And Wolfsburg coach Florian Kohfeldt meanwhile enjoyed a winning debut in the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Red Bull Salzburg thanks to a fantastic finish from Lukas Nmecha on the hour.Salzburg remain top of Group G on seven points, two ahead of Wolfsburg and Lille who came from behind to win 2-1 at Sevilla.