Robert Lewandowski has set a new record by becoming the oldest player to score a hat-trick in UEFA Nations League history. He achieved this after leading Poland to a 6-0 win over Romania on Friday, according to World Soccer.
Lewandowski, who is 38 years old, scored his goals in the 24th, 47th, and 86th minutes. This victory marked Poland's first win in the Nations League campaign and took place in Warsaw.
This hat-trick happened during Lewandowski's impressive 170th appearance for Poland. With this performance, he boosted his international goal tally to 92.
The Polish Football Association confirmed that Lewandowski achieved his seventh hat-trick for the national team during this emphatic victory.
His accomplishment also broke Ronaldo's previous record for the oldest player to score a treble in the Nations League. Ronaldo was 34 years and 120 days old when he scored three goals for Portugal against Switzerland in the 2019 Nations League semi-final.
In contrast, Lewandowski was 38 years and 42 days old when he scored against Romania.
He started the scoring by converting a penalty in the 24th minute. This penalty was awarded after Romania's defender Radu Drăgușin received a red card for a tactical foul.
Lewandowski doubled the score just two minutes after halftime. Virgil Ghiță then scored an own goal in the 49th minute, putting Poland ahead by three goals.
Piotr Zieliński added the fourth goal for Poland in the 62nd minute. Jan Bednarek followed with the fifth goal just four minutes later.
Lewandowski completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute, securing Poland's biggest win in this campaign.
Following this match, Poland now has four points from three games in Nations League League B Group 4. They are currently in third place, behind Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Romania sits at the bottom with no points.
With this hat-trick, Lewandowski climbed higher on the list of Europe’s top international goal scorers. His 92 goals for Poland rank him among the continent's best.
The last time Lewandowski scored a hat-trick for Poland was against Latvia in October 2019.
Despite this remarkable achievement, Lewandowski will miss Poland’s next Nations League game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He received a second yellow card during the match against Romania.
Poland will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday as they aim for promotion to Nations League League A.
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