Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski equals Gerd Muller's Bundesliga goal record

Pole takes his tally for season to 40 in 2-2 draw with Freiburg on Saturday

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring against Freiburg and equalling Gerd Muller's 49-year-old Bundesliga record on Saturday, May 15. Reuters

Bayern forward Robert Lewandowski scores the opening goal from the penalty spot in their 2-2 draw at Freiburg. The striker has now scored 40 goals in 28 league games this season. AFP

Bayern's Robert Lewandowski, right, celebrates with teammates and coaching staff after his goal. AFP

Bayern's Jerome Boateng and Ermedin Demirovic of Freiburg challenge for a header. AP

German national team manager Joachim Low watches the game. AP

Robert Lewandowski heads towards goal but his effort is saved by Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken. AFP

Bayern's Leroy Sane is brought down by Freiburg defender Christian Gunter. AFP

Robert Lewandowski misses a glorious chance for Bayern. AFP

Bayern defender David Alaba challenges Baptiste Santamaria of Freiburg. AFP

Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick. AFP

Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski controls the ball. Reuters

Robert Lewandowski equalled Gerd Muller's 49-year-old scoring record as the Bayern Munich striker netted his 40th Bundesliga goal of the season in a 2-2 draw at Freiburg on Saturday.

Lewandowski – Fifa's player of the year for 2020 – has equalled Muller's tally, scored over 34 games in 1971/72, in just 28 league fixtures this term.

Lewandowski converted a penalty for the champions after 26 minutes to equal the league's record.

As part of his celebrations, the Poland striker lifted his match shirt to reveal a picture of Gerd Mueller over the text "4ever Gerd".

The fixture was briefly halted after Lewandowski equalled Mueller's milestone as his Bayern team-mates made a guard-of-honour on the side of the pitch which the smiling 32-year-old ran through.

Freiburg drew level almost immediately when Manuel Gulde headed in at the near post from a corner on 29 minutes after slipping his marker.

Bayern, who were crowned German champions last weekend for the ninth season in a row, upped the tempo after the break.

Serge Gnabry had a goal disallowed six minutes into the second-half after the VAR spotted he was offside in tapping home a Leroy Sane cross.

However, the Bavarians kept up the pressure and when David Alaba's long-range pass found Thomas Mueller in the area just moments later, he squared for Sane who hit home on 53 minutes.

Freiburg had their chances to equalise as second-half replacements Lucas Hoeler and Janik Haberer both went close before Christian Guenter brought the sides level nine minutes from time.

Lewandowski can still break Mueller's record as Bayern have one match left of the campaign at home to Augsburg next Saturday.

The former Borussia Dortmund forward, who has scored 47 goals in 39 games in all competitions this season, is set to be crowned the Bundesliga's top-scorer for the sixth time in eight years.

His tally of 40 league goals this season includes four hat-tricks as well as a four-goal haul in Bayern's 4-3 home win against Hertha Berlin last October.