MADRID – Alexander Sørloth put on a big-time finishing show as Atlético Madrid rolled past Club Brugge 4-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The win sent Los Rojiblancos through 7-4 on aggregate after the wild 3-3 first leg in Belgium. Next, Atlético will meet either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16. – Watch the Highlights
The tie started on a knife-edge, and Brugge competed well early. Still, Atlético grew into the game, then took over after halftime. With 66,756 fans behind them, Simeone’s team found goals at key moments and never let the lead slip again.
Match Highlights: The Moments That Shaped the Game
- 23′, Atlético strike first: Sørloth made it 1-0 with a calm left-foot finish. Jan Oblak sent a long ball forward, catching Brugge’s back line off guard. Sørloth held off Brandon Mechele, then slipped the shot past Simon Mignolet.
- 36′ Brugge responds. Joel Ordóñez pulled Brugge level at 1-1 with a strong header from a corner. Mechele helped it on, and the goal tied the aggregate score at 4-4.
- 48′ Cardoso puts Atlético back in front: Right after the restart, Johnny Cardoso stepped onto a cleared corner and drove a low shot in from outside the box. It was his first Champions League goal, and it put Atlético up 2-1 on the night and 5-4 overall.
- 76′, Sørloth doubles his tally: Atlético made it 3-1 when Sørloth finished sharply after quick combination play that involved Ademola Lookman and Antoine Griezmann. By then, Brugge looked stretched and tired.
- 87′, at trick completed: Sørloth grabbed the match ball with a close-range finish after a corner dropped loose in the six-yard box. He reacted first and poked it into the top corner to seal the tie.
Atlético’s edge came down to sharper finishing and better timing. Sørloth, in particular, turned half-chances into goals and set the tone for the second-half surge.
Atlético Madrid Performance and Key Stats
Atlético didn’t dominate the ball, but they controlled the moments that mattered. They also made set pieces and quick transitions count, which kept Brugge under pressure.
Atlético Madrid Key Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Score | 4-1 |
| Goal Scorers | Sørloth (23′, 76′, 87′), Cardoso (48′) |
| Possession | 45.3% |
| Total Shots | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 2.32 |
| Pass Success % | 84% |
| Attendance | 66,756 |
| Aggregate Result | Atlético advance 7-4 |
In midfield, Koke and Cardoso brought energy and control, especially after the break. At the back, David Hancko and Marcos Llorente helped steady things after Brugge’s equalizer.
Club Brugge’s Push Comes Up Short
Brugge arrived with confidence after the first-leg performance, and they showed they could hurt Atlético on set pieces. However, their level dipped in the second half, and the final pass often didn’t land.
They finished with 11 shots, but too many chances came from less-dangerous areas. Meanwhile, defensive mistakes, especially on dead balls, proved expensive. Mignolet also had a rough night, with Atlético converting four of their better looks.
Club Brugge Key Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Score | 1-4 |
| Goal Scorer | Ordóñez (36′) |
| Possession | 54.7% |
| Total Shots | 11 |
| Shots on Target | (approx. 3-4) |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.85 |
| Pass Success % | 87% |
| Aggregate Result | Brugge eliminated 4-7 |
Simeone’s Moves Pay Off, and Atlético Move On
Simeone kept the plan simple and effective, and his substitutions added pace and fresh legs. Lookman and Griezmann played key roles in the third goal, which helped Atlético pull clear.
After an uneven league phase, Atlético now heads into the Champions League round of 16 with real momentum. A possible meeting with Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur raises the stakes even more.
Bruggeexitedt the competition, but they also left with proof they can compete in Europe. For Atlético, this night belonged to Sørloth, whose hat trick drove them into the last 16 in style.
