Real Madrid hitman Karim Benzema has closed the gap on Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski in the race for the Golden Boot in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) this season.

At the end of the last 16 ties, Poland international Lewandowski led the scoring chart with 12 goals and one more goal than Ajax Amsterdam striker Sebastien Haller who could not progress into the quarterfinals like Lewandowski and his Bayern side. Lewandowski also had four more goals than Real Madrid star Benzema as at the end of the eight last 16 ties in the Champions League this season.

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has warned Barcelona they are not champions yet, insisting the Blaugrana's El Clasico victory at the Bernabeu won't be enough to secure the Liga title.

"We said before the Clasico that whoever won the match cannot afford to think they are the champions and that whoever lost cannot believe the league is over,” said Pellegrini at a press conference today.

“The season ends on May 16, so we will try to cut into the lead until the very last match.”