Robert Lewandowski’s eyes locked on the ball as he stepped up to the penalty spot in Lisbon. By the time it nestled in the net, he had written his name alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the Champions League’s penalty-scoring chart. It was his 19th from that distance in the competition, a milestone that felt especially meaningful on a night when Barcelona and Benfica traded goals in a pulsating 5-4 thriller.
He struck earlier in the match, completing another penalty that put him above Barca legend Messi in UCL penalty kicks. “Today the match was crazy, but in the end, we won, and I think that is the most important thing,” Lewandowski said afterward. He admitted feeling relief once it was over. “I think three of Benfica’s goals were gifts, but it’s better if we always score one more goal than the opponent.”
A dramatic night in Lisbon
Barcelona fell behind by two goals late in the second half. In years past, that might have spelled doom, yet there was a sense of tenacity about this side. Manager Hansi Flick praised his players for refusing to fold under pressure. “It was a crazy game,” he said. “The best thing was the mentality. This is football. I have never experienced a comeback like this before.”
Flick’s words echoed in every new wave of Barcelona’s attack. By the final whistle, they had turned a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 victory. Lewandowski’s pair of penalties provided the steady hand needed when nerves frayed. They also brought him level with Ronaldo and gave him a chance to surpass that record in the matches ahead.
Fans have grown used to Lewandowski’s consistency. He converts penalties with a precision that few can match, and his reputation for outsmarting goalkeepers grows with each passing season. There was a moment, just before his second strike, when the stadium seemed to hold its breath. Then he rolled the ball home as if guided by muscle memory.
His calm execution overshadowed the chaos of a game that will be remembered as much for its goals as for the shift in Champions League history. With Ronaldo playing in Saudi Arabia and Lionel Messi in the United States, Lewandowski stands alone as the only active player on Europe’s biggest stage who can extend this record. The question is no longer if he’ll overtake Ronaldo but when.
