Lewandowski at the double in dominant Barca win
Robert Lewandowski continued his red-hot scoring form with two goals as Barcelona earned a third consecutive Champions League win by thrashing Red Star Belgrade.
Lewandowski, 36, took his season tally to 19 goals in 16 games in all competitions to move within one goal of becoming only the third player in history to reach a century of Champions League goals, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The Poland international’s reactive finish after Raphinha’s shot rebounded off the post restored Barcelona’s lead before half-time, with Inigo Martinez’s 13th-minute header cancelled out by Silas Katompa Mvumpa’s opener against the run of play.
Two quick-fire Barcelona goals early in the second half took the game away from Serbian champions Red Star, as Jules Kounde assisted Lewandowski and Raphinha before also teeing up Fermin Lopez late on.
There was still time for substitute Milson to score a late consolation with a brilliant, curled finish for Red Star, who remain without a point in 35th place in the table.
Victory lifted Barcelona up to sixth in the new 36-team league format, and Lewandowski will have the chance to score his 100th Champions League goal at home to Brest later this month.
Swiss
