Lewandowski Scores Century as Barcelona Brushes Brest Aside

FC Barcelona secured a much-needed 3-0 victory against Brest in the UEFA Champions League, marking their first win since the previous matchday.

This match just significant for the team, and it was also a historic occasion for Robert Lewandowski, who reached a remarkable milestone by scoring his 100th goal in the prestigious tournament.

A Milestone for Lewandowski

The evening began with Lewandowski sitting on 99 UEFA Champions League goals, and it didn’t take long for him to achieve his century.

Just nine minutes into the match, he was presented with a golden opportunity when he expertly chested down a beautifully clipped ball from Pedri. As he prepared to take a shot, he was brought down by Brest’s goalkeeper, Marco Bizot.

The Bosnian referee, Irfan Peljto, had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Lewandowski stepped up and confidently sent Bizot the wrong way, writing his name alongside football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the only players to reach the century mark in the Champions League.

Barcelona’s Dominance

Barcelona continued to assert their dominance over the match. Despite Lewandowski’s early goal, Brest’s Bizot was determined to keep his team in the game.

The goalkeeper made a series of impressive saves, first denying Fermín López’s shot and later stopping another attempt from the same player, who was frustrated by Bizot’s heroics.

Raphinha also came close with a deflected effort that narrowly missed the target, while López’s powerful header was saved by the goalkeeper’s quick reflexes.

Barcelona, eager to secure the three points after a disappointing draw in their last outing, continued to press forward. They were relentless in their pursuit of goals, but Bizot stood firm, keeping the scoreline respectable for Brest in the first half.

The Turning Point

As the second half commenced, Barcelona’s determination to extend their lead became even more evident. A crucial moment arrived on the hour mark when a cross from Jules Koundé was flapped by Bizot, landing at the feet of Dani Olmo.

However, Olmo’s clean strike was heroically cleared off the line by Brendan Chardonnet, keeping Brest’s hopes alive for a brief moment.

But the breakthrough was inevitable. Just five minutes later, Olmo made amends for his earlier miss by collecting a pass from Gerard Martín. With a deft shimmy to evade Chardonnet, he coolly slotted the ball past Bizot, doubling Barcelona’s lead and sending the home fans into raptures.

Brest’s Near Miss

Brest, who had been struggling to make an impact throughout the match, finally managed to test Barcelona’s defense with a shot on target. Mathias Pereira Lage’s strike from a tight angle found the back of the net, but the joy was short-lived as it was ruled out for offside.

This near miss was a reminder of the fine margins in football and how close Brest came to making history as the first French side in 25 years to remain unbeaten in their first five UCL matches.

Lewandowski Seals the Victory

As the match approached its conclusion, it appeared that Barcelona might miss out on a chance to join an elite group of teams that have won four consecutive Champions League matches by three goals.

However, Lewandowski had other plans. In stoppage time, he added his second of the night with a composed finish, wrapping up the 3-0 victory and solidifying his status as one of the tournament’s greatest scorers.

Looking Ahead

Barcelona’s emphatic win over Brest boosted their confidence in the UEFA Champions League and also celebrated Robert Lewandowski’s incredible achievement of 100 goals in the competition.