Late Thriller Leaves Tie Wide Open: club brujas - atlético madrid Finish 3-3
Club Brugge and Atlético de Madrid produced a high-drama 3-3 draw in the first knockout leg, leaving the tie wide open ahead of the return in the Spanish capital. Atlético looked comfortable at the interval, but sustained pressure and late moments of individual brilliance turned the game on its head.
Atleti dominant early, but Brugge refuse to surrender
Atlético arrived at the interval with the advantage after taking the initiative in the opening 45 minutes. Julián Álvarez and Ademola Lookman were both on the scoresheet for the visitors, while a defensive error from the home side also delivered an own goal that featured in the scoring sequence. That cushion looked meaningful; Atlético had not been in the position of conceding a lead like that at half in European competition this season.
But the second half swung dramatically. Brugge stepped up the intensity, inundating Atlético with waves of attack down both flanks and forcing errors from their opponents. The Belgian side found the goals they needed to draw level, with the final equaliser coming late from Tzolis to complete a comeback that erased Atlético’s early control.
Key moments, individual milestones and what it means for the return
The match carried more than just the immediate tactical skirmishes: Antoine Griezmann reached his 100th appearance in European competition for Atlético, a milestone that underscores his long-term influence in continental play. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak also marked his 50th away match in the Champions League with the club, joining a very small group of players to reach such appearance figures for Atlético in Europe.
Griezmann contributed with an assist in this fixture, bringing his tally for the current Champions League campaign to two, the most among his teammates. The team’s attacking form remains evident: Atlético have found the net in eight of their nine matches in this Champions League edition, a run matched only by one other side in the competition so far.
For Brugge, the comeback will feel like vindication of their intensity. The manager of Atlético described the Belgian outfit as the most intense team in the competition, a comment that reflected how sustained pressure after the break unsettled the visitors. Atlético’s defensive problems on the night — particularly on the right flank, where they were repeatedly exposed — will be a major talking point ahead of the return leg.
The two sides now head into the second leg with everything to play for. The return is scheduled for next Tuesday at 12: 45 PM ET in Madrid. Atlético will be keen to shore up the defensive frailties that allowed Brugge back into the tie, while the Belgian side will back their ability to press and create chances away from home.
In short, the tie is finely poised. Atlético will reflect on missed opportunities to close out the game when they had control, and Brugge will take confidence from a resilient fightback that keeps them very much alive in the knockout phase.
