Records fall as Bayern mauls Basel, 7-0

Germany striker Mario Gomez scored four goals as Bayern Munich marched into the Champions League quarterfinals by smashing FC Basel 7-0 in the second leg of their last-16 clash on Tuesday.

The scoreboard is seen after Bayern Munich beat FC Basel in their Champions League round-of-16 second leg soccer match in Munich, March 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

It was the biggest win in a Champions League knockout match as records tumbled in Munich and Bayern bettered its 7-1 home win over Sporting Lisbon from the 2009 competition, also in the round-of-16.

Having come to Germany holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg three weeks ago, Basel's dreams of reaching the Champions League's last eight for the first time were rudely awakened as it lost the tie 7-1 on aggregate.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes hailed his team's "perfect" performance, as it has now scored 14 goals in its past two games.

"We had already played well last Saturday and I noticed this week how much the team wanted to go through to the next round," he said after his side also smashed Hoffenheim 7-1 last Saturday in the Bundesliga.

"Today, we have put in a top-class performance from the first until the last minute. Overall, it was a perfect game from us."

It was also Basel's worst away European defeat, breaking the 5-0 record set in 1963 at Celtic and equaled in 2008 at Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.

Munich's Allianz Arena hosts the final on May 19 and the Bavarians strolled into Friday's quarterfinal draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.

Having netted a hat-trick against Hoffenheim, Gomez scored four more, while Dutch winger Arjen Robben again scored twice against Basel.

"It was fun to play in that. To score seven goals in a Champions League match speaks for itself," said Robben.

"Fourteen goals in our last two games after our defeat at (Bayer) Leverkusen speaks volumes for the way we have played.

"We have to stay focused. It would be good to get Barcelona or Real Madrid in the next round, but we'll take whoever comes."

(From L to R) Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, Mario Gomez and Toni Kroos celebrate their fifth goal against FC Basel during their Champions League round-of-16 second leg soccer match in Munich, March 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Basel ended Manchester United's involvement in this season's campaign in the group stage, but spent the majority of the match defending and was totally outplayed.

"You have to see this is a game to try to take something positive away from," said Basel coach Heiko Vogel.

"Maybe we can learn more from this than the wins we've enjoyed so far in the competition. Of course, you have to talk about the quality Bayern have, but we need to learn our lessons."

Agence France-Presse