Robert Lewandowski has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s record as the oldest player to score a hat-trick in UEFA Nations League history after inspiring Poland to a 6-0 victory over Romania.
The 38-year-old striker scored in the 24th, 47th and 86th minutes as Poland secured their first victory of the Nations League campaign in Warsaw.
The treble came during Lewandowski’s record 170th appearance for Poland and took his international goal tally to 92.
The Polish Football Association confirmed that the emphatic victory marked Lewandowski’s seventh hat-trick for the national team.
His performance also saw him overtake Ronaldo’s previous record for the oldest player to score three goals in a Nations League match.
Ronaldo was 34 years and 120 days old when he scored a hat-trick for Portugal against Switzerland in the 2019 Nations League semi-final.
Lewandowski, meanwhile, was 38 years and 42 days old when he completed his treble against Romania.
The Poland captain opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 24th minute after Romania defender Radu Drăgușin was shown a red card for a tactical foul.
Lewandowski doubled Poland’s advantage two minutes after the restart, before Virgil Ghiță turned the ball into his own net in the 49th minute.
Piotr Zieliński added a fourth for Poland in the 62nd minute, while Jan Bednarek headed in the fifth four minutes later.
Lewandowski completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute, sealing Poland’s biggest victory of the campaign.
The result took Poland to four points from three matches in Nations League League B Group 4, although they remain third behind Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Romania are bottom of the group without a point.
Lewandowski’s latest treble has also strengthened his position among Europe’s leading international goalscorers, with his 92 goals for Poland placing him among the continent’s most prolific scorers.
His previous hat-trick for the national team came against Latvia in October 2019.
Despite his record-breaking display, Lewandowski will miss Poland’s next Nations League match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after picking up his second yellow card of the campaign against Romania.
Poland will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday as they continue their push for promotion to Nations League League A.
