Champions League: Robert Lewandowski sinks Real Madrid

Robert Lewandowski had a brilliant display and scored four goals against Real Madrid in a stunning Champions League semi-final first-leg victory for Borussia Dortmund. The Polish striker opened the scoring with a volley on Mario Gotze's cross before Cristiano Ronaldo made it all square again. Lewandowski completed a hat-trick after half time and then he converted a penalty kick for his fourth goal after Reus was fouled. Lewandowski, whose contract expires in the summer of 2014, became the first player to score four times in a Champions League semi-final. Borussia Dortmund looked determined to score right from the start and they created a good chance after just a few minutes when Reus' shot was parried by Diego Lopez and Lewandowski failed to convert the rebound. The Polish international made no mistake in the 8th minute when he volleyed home on a pinpoint cross from Gotze. Dortmund were dominating the match with Real limited to shots from Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso. The home side could have doubled the lead when Reus was tripped in the penalty area by Raphael Varane but referee Bjorn Kuipers waved play on. Dortmund failed to capitalise on their superiority and they were punished when a poor back pass from Mats Hummels was intercepted by Gonzalo Higuain who set up Ronaldo for an easy tap-in to record his 50th goal in the Champions League. Dortmund reacted furiously after the interval and they restored the lead after just five minutes when Lewandowski fired home. Another five minutes went by before Lewandowski struck again, he touched the ball away from Pepe inside the penalty area before firing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Things got worse for the Spanish giants on 67 minutes when Xabi Alonso bundled Reus over inside the penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot and Lewandowski coolly converted. Real Madrid tried to reduce the arrears but Ronaldo was denied by goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller. The result makes Borussia Dortmund strong favourites to reach the final, they are 2/11 to qualify at Bet365 while the odds on a miraculous comeback from Real Madrid are 4/1 at the same bookmaker.