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Lewandowski hat-trick steers Bayern comeback, Barcelona sink Osasuna
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Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich celebrates after winning the Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund in Munich, Germany, March 6, 2021. /CFP

Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich celebrates after winning the Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund in Munich, Germany, March 6, 2021. /CFP

Champions Bayern Munich roared back from two goals down to beat Borussia Dortmund 4-2 on Saturday with a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski, to remain two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

Dortmund, who had won their four previous games in all competitions, scored twice with Erling Haaland in the opening nine minutes and Poland striker Lewandowski responded with a brace of his own in an explosive first half.

But a goal from Leon Goretzka in the 88th minute put the hosts in front and Lewandowski scored his third in the 90th to kill off the game.

"It is part of our DNA, of our identity to believe that we can turn matches like that," said Bayern's Thomas Mueller. "But it is also difficult. It was not part of our match plan."

Lewandowski, chasing Gerd Mueller's legendary record of 40 league goals in one season dating back from the 1971-72 campaign, now has 31 goals with 10 league games remaining.

Bayern, hunting a record-extending ninth consecutive league title, are on 55 points, two ahead of RB Leipzig, winners 3-0 at Freiburg. Dortmund dropped to sixth on 39.

The league's two best attacks lived up to their reputation in Der Klassiker with a stunning four-goal first half performance in an empty Allianz Arena.

In a flawless start, Dortmund, who had won the last four games in all competitions, were 2-0 up by the ninth minute with Haaland thundering in a shot and tapping in a cutback to take his league tally to 19 goals.

Bayern, however, quickly worked their way back, took control and struck twice with Lewandowski in the 26th minute and a 44th minute penalty for a foul on Kingsley Coman, to send the teams level at halftime.

"We started well but we should have kept it up," said Dortmund's Emre Can. "I am very disappointed. At some point we did not play football any more. It was not good enough today."

Both took their foot off the gas after the break and Haaland had to be taken off injured on the hour with the visitors looking content with the draw, unwilling to risk too much in search of a winner.

Bayern pushed for a third goal and had their chances before Goretzka volleyed in a bad clearance to turn the game around and Lewandowski capped a superb performance, rifling in from the edge of the box.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona (2nd L) celebrates with teammates during the La Liga match against Osasuna in Pamplona, Spain, March 6, 2021. /CFP

Lionel Messi of Barcelona (2nd L) celebrates with teammates during the La Liga match against Osasuna in Pamplona, Spain, March 6, 2021. /CFP

In Spain, Lionel Messi provided two assists as Barcelona overcame a difficult trip to Osasuna to win 2-0 and move to within two points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Messi helped Barca take the lead on the half-hour mark when he carved open Osasuna's defense with a superb cross-field ball to Jordi Alba, who controlled before blasting into the roof of the net.

He then laid the ball off when 18-year-old midfielder Ilaix Moriba struck in the 83rd minute, producing a confident finish inside the post from outside the area to score his first goal for the club in only his third league appearance.

Barca stay second but moved on to 56 points after 26 games, two points behind Atletico Madrid who have played 24 matches and host third-placed Real Madrid on Sunday. Osasuna are 13th on 28.

Source(s): Reuters

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