Bayern Munich's David Alaba (R) vies with Benfica's Rafa Silva during a 5th round match in group E of UEFA Champions League between Bayern Munich of Germany and SL Benfica of Portugal, in Munich, Germany, on Nov. 27, 2018. Bayern Munich won 5-1. (Xinhua/Philippe Ruiz)
BERLIN, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Arjen Robben's and Robert Lewandowski's brace smoothed the way for Bayern Munich's 5-1 goal festival over Benfica in Champions League's Group E on Tuesday.
The German record champions took the reins from the kick off and let the ball do the work.
It took the hosts only 13 minutes to open the scoring as Robben danced through Benfica's defense and shrugged off three defenders to curl the ball from sharp angle into the far post corner.
Bayern dominated and squandered another two good opportunities through Franck Ribery and Robben. The Dutchman cut a better figure in front of Benfica's goal at the half hour mark when he hammered an effort into the top right corner.
Benfica were hapless whereas the hosts continued on the front foot as Lewandowski headed home a corner kick from Joshua Kimmich to give Bayern a 3-0 lead in the 37th minute.
After the restart, Benfica showed a vital sign and pulled one back when substitute Gedson exchanged a one-two with Jonas to score against the run of the game with one minute into the second half.
However, the "Bavarians" remained unimpressed and restored their three-goal lead through Lewandowski, who nodded home Kimmich's delivery into the box in the 51st minute.
Bayern retracted with the lead behind and focussed on counter attacks meanwhile Benfica lacked in ideas to pose threat to the hosts' defense. Ribery sealed the deal with the fifth goal after tapping home a square pass from David Alaba from eleven meters in the 76th minute.
With the victory, Bayern top Group E and have booked their berth for next round with one game to spare while Benfica stay on the 3rd place of the standings.
"We were finally able to protect our lead to the end. That is because we played focussed over ninety minutes. We defended very well and worked out several scoring chances. I am satisfied as we got rewarded for our efforts today," Bayern head coach Niko Kovac said.
