Robert Lewandowski equals Gerd Muller's 40-goal record with strike against SC Freiburg

Updated 15/05/2021 at 15:38 GMT

Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski scored a first-half penalty against SC Freiburg on Saturday afternoon to grab his 40th goal of the Bundesliga campaign. The goal meant he equalled the season record by Gerd Muller, the legendary German striker who previously held the record by himself.

Robert Lewandowski

Image credit: Getty Images

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has equalled Gerd Muller's 40-goal Bundesliga record with a goal against SC Freiburg.

Bayern are already 10 points ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig and have secured the German league title.

They visited ninth-placed Freiburg on Saturday with Lewandowski on 39 goals in the league already, but the 32-year-old Polish striker scored from the spot on 26 minutes.

La Liga

Lewandowski brace gives Barcelona comeback win over Deportivo Alaves

12/11/2023 at 18:53

The Poland striker is already second on the all-time scorers list in the Bundesliga, with 276 goals now, behind only Mueller's 365. Mueller set his record in the 1971/72 season.

Lewandowski missed a chance in front of goal in the 78th minute and also had an 83rd minute header saved by the keeper after Christian Guenter had drawn the hosts level.

But the result will matter little on the day as Lewandowski was showered with praise, with the German Football League (DFL) hailing it as an "historic" achievement.

"Almost half a century after the unique Gerd Mueller set the record, Robert Lewandowski equalled it today," the DFL said. "Congratulations for this outstanding and historic performance."

Bayern play Augsburg in their final game of the season next week.