Atlético Madrid Vs Club Brugge: Sorloth Hat-Trick and Cardoso Stunner Seal 7-4 Aggregate Win
Atlético Madrid Vs Club Brugge ended with a 4-1 home victory that completed a 7-4 aggregate triumph, highlighted by Alexander Sorloth's first Champions League hat-trick and a stunning goal from United States international Johnny Cardoso. The result sends Atlético into the last 16 and matters because it ends a run of Champions League frustration and sets up a tie against Premier League opposition.
Atlético Madrid Vs Club Brugge — match flow and decisive moments
Alexander Sorloth opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after collecting a long ball from keeper Jan Oblak; his half-volley squirmed past Simon Mignolet. Club Brugge levelled 13 minutes later when Joel Ordonez headed home from a corner. Ordonez had earlier been on the wrong end of an own goal in the home first leg when the two sides drew 3-3 in Belgium.
Three minutes into the second half Johnny Cardoso lashed a low, rasping volley from outside the box — described as a stunning half-volley — to put Atlético ahead on aggregate. Cardoso's strike was his first goal since joining the club this summer and his first goal for Atlético overall, temporarily making the tie 5-4 on aggregate before Sorloth finished the job late.
Alexander Sorloth’s hat-trick and scoring form
Sorloth completed his first Champions League hat-trick with two confident finishes in the final 14 minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano, scoring again in the 72nd minute and adding a third in the 87th minute to make the match 4-1. The Norway striker now has five goals in this season's Champions League and had also netted twice against Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday. He was selected to start in place of Antoine Griezmann and showed good control when picked out by Jan Oblak for the opening goal.
How Club Brugge fought back and key saves
Brandon Mechele flicked a corner on at the near post for Joel Ordonez to head home for Brugge’s equaliser, a correction of the earlier own goal in the first leg. Moments later Hugo Vetlesen connected with a Christos Tzolis ball and thought he had put the visitors ahead, only for Oblak to produce a stellar save to keep Atlético level at that stage.
Johnny Cardoso’s impact and wider implications
The 24-year-old Cardoso has battled injury issues through this debut season in Madrid, which limited him to just nine La Liga appearances. He has been a more regular presence in the Champions League, with Tuesday’s match marking his fifth appearance in Europe this season. His goal on this stage could bolster his case for the United States national team as he continues to battle for a World Cup spot with March camp looming.
What this win means and what’s next
The 4-1 victory at the Wanda Metropolitano ended Atlético’s three-game winless run in the Champions League and booked a last-16 tie with Premier League opposition — referenced as either Tottenham or Liverpool in the build-up. Atlético will look ahead domestically to a weekend visit against Real Oviedo and then a trip to face Barcelona in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal clash on March 3.
Fan reaction and match extras
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Match summary (selected):
- Final score: Atlético Madrid 4-1 Club Brugge (7-4 on aggregate)
- Atlético goals: Alexander Sorloth (23', 72', 87'), Johnny Cardoso (early second half)
- Club Brugge goal: Joel Ordonez (from a corner)
- Venue: Wanda Metropolitano
- Notable players mentioned: Jan Oblak, Simon Mignolet, Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordonez, Hugo Vetlesen, Christos Tzolis, Antoine Griezmann, Diego Simeone
Details in this piece are drawn from the latest match coverage; some elements remain unclear in the provided context and may evolve as fuller match reports are published.
