Atletico Madrid advanced to the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a 4-1 victory over Club Brugge on Tuesday, sealing a 7-4 aggregate triumph in their playoff.
Alexander Sorloth scored a clinical hat-trick, while Johnny Cardoso added the other goal for the hosts. Joel Ordonez found the net for Brugge in the first half.
First-Half Drama
Brugge began brightly following last week’s 3-3 first-leg draw, pressing high and creating early chances. However, Atletico struck first in the 23rd minute.
Sorloth controlled a long clearance from goalkeeper Jan Oblak before driving a left-footed shot under Simon Mignolet.
The visitors equalised in the 36th minute when Ordonez headed home from close range after Brandon Mechele flicked on Christos Tzolis’s corner.
Oblak preserved parity before halftime with a sharp one-handed save to deny Hugo Vetlesen.
Atletico Take Control After Break
The Spanish side asserted control early in the second half. Just two minutes after the restart, Cardoso restored the lead. He chested down Mechele’s headed clearance from Giuliano Simeone’s cross and fired home from the edge of the area.
Sorloth extended Atletico’s advantage in the 76th minute, side-footing in after neat interplay between substitutes Ademola Lookman and Antoine Griezmann.
The Norwegian completed his hat-trick three minutes from time, arriving at the back post to convert Matteo Ruggeri’s cross.
Awaiting the Draw
Atletico Madrid now await Friday’s draw, where they will face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16.
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