Bayern Munich appeared to be heading for a rare defeat in the Bundesliga before Robert Lewandowski stepped up to complete a remarkable transformation.
The Polish forward was introduced as a half-time substitute, and went on to bag a stunning five goals in nine minutes to help Bayern turn a 1-0 deficit into a 5-1 triumph.
Not one, not two… But 5! Lewandowksi has scored 5 goals in 9 minutes. How? #Bayern Courtesy: Fox Sports pic.twitter.com/jMAR10ePtq
— fanatix (@therealfanatix) September 22, 2015
Bayern fell behind to an effort from Daniel Caligiuri, prompting Pep Guardiola into a half-time switch, replacing Javi Martinez with Lewandowski.
The Pole bagged his first goal five minutes later, levelling the match on 51 minutes. His second followed one minute later, before completing his hat-trick on 55 minutes.
Two further goals followed as Lewandowski—who moved to the Allianz Arena from Borussia Dortmund in 2014—demonstrated his elite quality.
Naturally, Twitter went mad as news of the Pole’s efforts filtered in…here are some of our favourite reactions:
60′ – ARE YOU SERIOUS! GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! LEWANDOWSKI HAS FIVE GOALS! #FCBWOB
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) September 22, 2015
1 – @FCBayernEN‘s Lewandowski (@lewy_official) is the only substitute to score 5 goals in 1 match in @Bundesliga_EN history. Worldclass.
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) September 22, 2015
Pep Guardiola Reacts To Robert Lewandowski’s Incredible Performance… https://t.co/y3PSl5VZSo
— talkingbaws (@talkingbaws) September 22, 2015
45 mins: Bayern 1 down 57 mins: Bayern 4-1 up Lewandowski with all 4 goals as a HT sub pic.twitter.com/2tCIB33Zz0
— The Football Bible (@Futbol_Bible) September 22, 2015
Robert Lewandowski has just scored four goals in six minutes against the second best Team in Germany last season. #FCBWOB
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) September 22, 2015
Pep Guardiola’s reaction tonight. Just like the rest of us. pic.twitter.com/qnngOL0c73
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 22, 2015