Lewandowski breaks Ronaldo record

Robert Lewandowski rewrote the UEFA Nations League record books on Friday, becoming the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the competition as Poland thrashed Romania 6-0.

At 38 years and 44 days, Lewandowski surpassed the previous record held by Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo, who was 34 years and 120 days old when he scored three times against Switzerland in the 2019 Nations League semi-final.

The Poland captain struck in the 24th, 47th and 86th minutes to complete his seventh international hat-trick and take his goal tally for the national team to 92.

The treble also came during Lewandowski’s record 170th appearance for Poland, further highlighting the longevity of the veteran striker at international level.

His latest goals saw him move up to sixth on the all-time international scoring chart and third among European players. Only Ronaldo, with 147 goals for Portugal, and Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku, with 94, have scored more.

Lewandowski’s seventh hat-trick for Poland also moved him level with Hungary legend Sandor Kocsis among European players. Only four European footballers have scored more international trebles — Ronaldo with 10, Sweden’s Sven Rydell with nine, and Germany’s Gerd Muller and Denmark’s Poul Nielsen with eight each.

At 38, Lewandowski continues to add to his remarkable international record, with his latest performance putting him alongside some of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers.