Robert Lewandowski found the back of the net thrice to set a Bayern Munich record as he led his team to a 5-0 rout of Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday. With this hat-trick, he claimed the record for scoring in consecutive games. The 33-year-old Polish player’s goals meant that he has now scored in every game for the last 16 matches across all competitions for the German club. This dates back to a 3-3 draw with Arminia Bielefeld on February 15.

Former West Germany great Gerd Muller was the previous record holder (15 games, from 1969-70). He died on August 15 at the age of 75. Lewandowski, in the last season, broke Muller’s record by scoring 41 goals last season. In the current season, he has five from three matches.

In the match, Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann dropped winger Leroy Sane due to his poor performances and started with the 18-year-old Jamal Musiala in his place. Last week, Sane was booed by Bayern fans for a poor performance against Cologne.

Thomas Muller scored the opening goal off an Alphonso Davies’ cross in the sixth minute. In this beautifully orchestrated goal, Serge Gnabry and Musiala were also involved. The fans were made to wait for 30 more minutes before Lewandowski’s header from close range at the second attempt doubled the team’s lead.

Just before half-time, Hertha captain Dedryck Boyara made an important clearance as Bayern looked dominant.

Sane, who came in for Musiala in the 61st minute, cut past two defenders and set up a goal for Lewandowski in the 70th minute of the game. The Polish talisman completed his hattrick in the 84th minute.

In another match, Florian Wirtz celebrated his Germany recall by leading Bayer Leverkusen to a 4-1 win at Augsburg under new coach Gerardo Seoane.

The 18-year-old was called up by new Germany coach Hansi Flick on Friday for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Lichtenstein, Armenia and Iceland.

(With inputs from Associated Press)