Robert Lewandowski netted the earliest hat-trick in Champions League history on Tuesday evening.

Having drawn 1-1 in the opening leg of their last-16 tie, Bayern Munich needed their star man to show up in the second leg against Red Bull Salzburg.

And he did just that as scored three times in the opening 24 minutes at the Allianz Arena.

Lewandowski's first two goals, coming in the 12th and 21st minute, were both from the penalty spot.

He completed his hat-trick, albeit with a huge stroke of luck, just two minutes after scoring his second.

Bayern went on to win the game 7-2 and cruise through to the quarter finals of the competition.

Surprisingly, the Pole did not add any more goals in the remainder of the game but, regardless, he had the honour of taking the match ball home.

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 08: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring their team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Bayern München and FC Salzburg at Football Arena Munich on March 08, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 08: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring their team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Bayern München and FC Salzburg at Football Arena Munich on March 08, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

His hat-trick against Salzburg is the fifth he has ever scored in Europe's premier cup competition.

But where does he stand among the players with the most hat-tricks in Champions League history? Find out below...

Roberto Soldado - 2

Marco Simone - 2

Andriy Shevchenko - 2

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 25: Andrei Shevchenko of Milan controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan on May 25, 2005 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 25: Andrei Shevchenko of Milan controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan on May 25, 2005 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Michael Owen - 2

Ruud van Nistelrooy - 2

Kylian Mbappe - 2

Roy Makaay - 2

Gabriel Jesus - 2

Olivier Giroud - 2

Samuel Eto'o - 2

Didier Drogba - 2

LONDON - NOVEMBER 11: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates scoring a hat trick during the Barclays Premiership match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on November 11, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

LONDON - NOVEMBER 11: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates scoring a hat trick during the Barclays Premiership match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on November 11, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Andy Cole - 2

Sergio Aguero - 2

Karim Benzema - 3

Neymar - 3

Luiz Adriano - 3

Filippo Inzaghi - 3

Mario Gomez - 3

Robert Lewandowski - 5

Cristiano Ronaldo - 8

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 03: Cristiano Ronaldo (#7) of Real celebrates by kissing the ball after his hat trick in victory during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Ajax Amsterdam and Real Madrid at Amsterdam Arena on October 3, 2012 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 03: Cristiano Ronaldo (#7) of Real celebrates by kissing the ball after his hat trick in victory during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Ajax Amsterdam and Real Madrid at Amsterdam Arena on October 3, 2012 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi - 8

Lewandowski is now just three hat-tricks away from Ronaldo and Messi, who are both locked on eight hat-tricks apiece.

While Ronaldo and Messi both have opportunities to add to their tallies, it wouldn't be a surprise at all if Lewandowski reels them in at some point.

He's been in extraordinary form in the last few years and if he continues his brilliance, you wouldn't bet against him reaching top spot in the next few years.

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Benzema notched his third Champions League hat-trick on Wednesday evening in Real Madrid's incredible comeback against PSG.

He's one of five players that have taken a Champions League match ball home on three occasions, with the most surprising being Luiz Adriano.

Adriano was a goalscoring machine for Shakhtar Dontesk and is one of only two players to net five times in a single Champions League game, the other being Messi.

Among the players to score two hat-tricks include legends including Drogba and Eto'o, as well as current stars such as Benzema and Mbappe.