Atlético de Madrid Triumphs Over Brujas to Secure Champions League Round of 16 Spot
Atlético de Madrid defeated Brujas 4-1 in their Champions League playoff return leg to advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Liverpool or Tottenham.
- • Atlético de Madrid won 4-1 against Brujas in the Champions League playoff return leg on February 24, 2026.
- • Alexander Sorloth scored a hat-trick and Cardoso contributed with a stunning volley for Atlético.
- • Goalkeeper Jan Oblak made several crucial saves to keep Atlético in the game amid Brujas' early pressure.
- • Atlético advances to the Round of 16, where they will face either Liverpool or Tottenham.
Key details
Atlético de Madrid booked their place in the Champions League Round of 16 with a commanding 4-1 victory against Brujas at the Estadio Metropolitano on February 24, 2026. This decisive win in the return leg of their playoff tie was marked by a spectacular hat-trick from Alexander Sorloth and a stunning volley from teammate Cardoso.
The match began with Brujas showing early dominance, but Atlético's goalkeeper Jan Oblak was instrumental in keeping the team in the game. Oblak thwarted several clear chances, displaying crucial saves during difficult moments. The deadlock was broken when Sorloth scored a powerful goal following a long ball from Oblak, putting Atlético ahead. Brujas quickly responded with an equalizer from Joel Ordóñez after a corner kick.
However, Atlético's intensity grew after halftime. Cardoso restored the lead with a remarkable volley, igniting the home side's momentum. Sorloth then solidified the win by adding two more goals — first on a counter-attack and then completing his hat-trick with a header assisted by Ruggeri.
After the match, Sorloth expressed satisfaction with his performance, while Atlético coach Diego Simeone praised the striker's unique qualities, noting that Sorloth possesses attributes unmatched by other players.
With this victory, Atlético de Madrid advances confidently to the Round of 16, where they will face a formidable opponent: either Liverpool or Tottenham, awaiting the outcome of their matchup. This fixture offers Atlético a challenging next step in their Champions League campaign, underlining the team's ambition to progress further in Europe's premier competition.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
