Lewandowski stunner ruins Atletico's bid for group stage perfection

Munich - A Robert Lewandowski free-kick sealed Bayern Munich's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League with both teams already through to the knockout stage.

Despite the result at Munich's bitterly cold Allianz Arena, Atletico goes into the draw for the last-16 as Group D winner with Bayern second.

Having been knocked out in the semi-final by Atletico last season, Bayern avenged its 1-0 defeat in Madrid in September and extended its record streak in the Champions League to 15 wins at home.

Atletico, who was close to full strength, suffered its first defeat in the group stage this season having been the only team to win all of its previous five.

It denied the Rojiblancos a club record of a perfect six.

Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti switched from the 4-2-3-1 formation, which won 3-1 at Mainz in the Bundesliga, with a 4-3-3 formation, surprisingly leaving Thomas Muller on the bench.

Lewandowski played either side of Arjen Robben and Douglas Costa on the wings with Thiago Alcantara, Arturo Vidal and teenage Portugal international Renato Sanches in midfield.

Diego Simeone's Atletico made a bright start with Yannick Carrasco, who scored when the Spanish club won 1-0 in Madrid in September, twice forcing Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer into action.

Bayern took the lead when Poland's Lewandowski majestically floated his free-kick over the wall from the edge of the box and into the top corner on 28 minutes.

It was from almost exactly the same position Lewandowski scored from in Friday's 3-1 win at Mainz, and Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak was powerless to stop it.

It was Lewandowski's 24th goal in 24 appearances for club and country this season.

In celebration, the 28-year-old shoved the ball under his playing shirt and stuck his thumb in his mouth amidst rumours in the Polish media that his wife Anna is pregnant.