Drama in Bruges: club brugge vs atlético madrid ends 3-3 as hosts snatch late equaliser
Club Brugge produced a dramatic second-half recovery to draw 3-3 with Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off. The result leaves the tie wide open ahead of the return in Madrid next week.
Second-half swing fuels a see-saw contest
Atletico looked firmly in control at the interval after taking a 2-0 lead through a Julian Alvarez penalty and a goal from Ademola Lookman. The spot-kick arrived after a misplayed clearance that resulted in a handball in the Bruges box, and Lookman bundled in on his European debut for his new club just before half-time.
But Brugge responded swiftly after the break. Raphael Onyedika pulled one back just after the restart, injecting belief into the home side. Nicolo Tresoldi then equalised on the hour mark, getting across his marker to steer the ball past Jan Oblak and turn the momentum. Club Brugge looked like they might complete the turnaround when they took the game to Atletico, with Onyedika prominent and the home crowd buzzing.
Atletico hit back through a pivotal moment when substitute Alexander Sorloth forced a deflection that resulted in an own goal from Joel Ordonez, restoring a 3-2 lead for the visitors. The match seemed to be slipping away from Brugge, but Christos Tzolis produced a late 89th-minute finish to level and seal a memorable draw for the hosts.
Simeone faults defensive lapses but sees positives
Diego Simeone acknowledged defensive shortcomings after the match while stressing the team’s overall effort. He noted the need for both defensive and offensive strength at this stage of the competition, and flagged a series of mistakes that allowed Brugge back into the contest after Atletico had held two different leads.
Simeone highlighted the physical toll of a congested schedule and the importance of returning to the home stadium for the second leg, while still expressing some satisfaction with his players’ commitment. The coach underlined that the tie is far from decided and that the return leg presents an opportunity to settle matters in front of their supporters.
Implications and what to expect in Madrid
The draw leaves everything to play for when the teams meet again in Madrid on Tuesday, February 24 at 3: 00 PM ET. The away goals rule no longer applies in UEFA club competitions, meaning both sides will approach the second leg knowing a single moment can swing the tie in either direction.
Atletico will head home frustrated by conceded chances and defensive lapses, yet reasonably pleased to have taken the lead multiple times. Brugge, meanwhile, can draw confidence from their resilience and the match-winning temperament shown deep into stoppage time.
With the winners set to face one of the English sides in the last 16, both clubs have plenty at stake. Expect tactical tweaks from both managers: Atletico to shore up defensive discipline and Brugge to exploit the wide areas and the counter with the same intensity that unsettled the visitors in Bruges.
After a 3-3 opener, the tie promises to be a tense, tactical affair in Madrid with momentum swinging either way and little margin for error from either side.
