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Champions League: Raphinha ties Cristiano Ronaldo’s record
Barcelona forward Raphinha has joined an elite group of Champions League players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Makaay, and Sergio Aguero, by achieving a remarkable goalscoring milestone.
Raphinha netted a hat-trick in Barcelona’s match against Bayern Munich, showcasing his impressive form.
His first goal came just 60 seconds into the game, with his second arriving in the final moments of the first half. He completed his hat-trick with a stunning strike just before the hour mark.
Sergio Aguero, the Argentine striker, achieved a similar feat in November 2014, scoring a hat-trick for Manchester City against Bayern Munich.
Dutch forward Roy Makaay was the first to earn a match ball against Bayern while playing for Deportivo La Coruna in September 2002.
Cristiano Ronaldo also accomplished this, scoring a hat-trick for Real Madrid in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, sealing victory against Bayern Munich in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Former Leeds player Raphinha, now serving as Barcelona’s captain due to injuries to key players like Marc-Andre ter Stegen, demonstrated his leadership during the match.
Although Bayern briefly levelled the score with a goal from Harry Kane, Raphinha’s hat-trick ultimately led his team to victory.