On-fire Reds thrash Salzburg

FC Bayern beat Red Bull Salzburg 7-1 on Tuesday night, advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals. Robert Lewandowski converted two penalties before rounding off his hat-trick midway through the first half, Serge Gnabry adding his name to the scoresheet after the half-hour. Thomas Müller bagged a brace in the second half, with Salzburg's Maurits Kjaergaard netting a consolation goal in between. Leroy Sané rounded off the 7-1 victory after the 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Bayern started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernández in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala anchored a midfield featuring Gnabry, Müller, Sané and Kingsley Coman, with Lewandowski up front. Bouna Sarr came on for Gnabry at half-time, Dayot Upamecano, Marc Roca, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Tanguy Nianzou taking over from Hernández, Musiala, Coman and Süle in the second half.

Neuer, who returned in goal after his surgery, made his 104th appearance in Europe's elite club competition, now boasting the most CL appearances of all Bayern keepers. Lewandowski set a new record when he made it three after 22 minutes, rounding off the earliest hat-trick in Champions League history.

Hat-trick for Lewy

Once referee Clément Turpin had set events in motion, the match got off to a lively start. Lewandowski drew a save from keeper Köhn, Coman deflecting a Capaldo effort wide a minute later. Sané dragged a shot wide but Bayern took the lead when Lewandowski was upended in the box, the Pole dispatching from the spot. Neuer directed a Seiwald shot over the bar but Bayern soon made it two. Lewandowski was taken down yet again, Turpin pointing to the spot after a VAR check, and Lewandowski beat Köhn from 12 yards.

Things got awkward for the visitors just two minutes later, Köhn trying to clear Müller's long ball but hitting Lewandowski. The ball bounced off the post, with the striker on hand to mop up. Bayern were not done, even if the match was, and Coman soon invited Gnabry to beat Köhn. Lewandowski aimed too high and Pavard headed wide before Turpin blew for half-time.

Plain sailing

The German record champions shifted down a gear after the restart but still had their chances. Lewandowski saw an effort deflected behind, but Sané soon set up Müller, who spun and found the net. Lewandowski miscued a free-kick before sub Kjaergaard got one back for the visitors.

Bayern upped the ante again in the closing stages, Sané teeing up Müller, who slotted home. Lewandowski's perceptive back-heel found Sané, who beat Köhn to make it 7-1 on the night and 8-2 on aggregate, and Turpin put the visitors out of their misery.

Bayern will be back in action on Saturday, when they travel to face Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. They will learn the identity of their next Champions League opponents on 18 March.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen