Robert Lewandowski equalled Gerd Muller’s Bundesliga record for goals scored in a single calendar year as Bayern Munich thrashed Stuttgart.
The Polish striker’s second goal on Tuesday was his 42nd in 2021, matching Muller’s haul from 1972.
Serge Gnabry scored either side of half-time to put the visitors 2-0 up, before Lewandowski struck twice in three minutes.
Germany international Gnabry completed his hat-trick two minutes later.
One more goal in Bayern’s final game of the year – at home to Wolfsburg on Friday – will give Lewandowski the record outright.
In May, the Poland striker scored in the last minute of the 2020-21 season to break Muller’s record for Bundesliga goals in a campaign.
Gnabry, who was involved in all five goals in Stuttgart, has found the net nine times in Germany’s top flight this season – more than any other midfielder in the division.
The win moves Julian Nagelsmann’s side nine points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who can cut the gap at the top of the table to six points with victory at home to bottom club Greuther Furth on Wednesday.
