Atlético Madrid - Club Brujas: Sorloth Hat-trick Fires Atleti Into Champions League Last 16
The playoff tie atlético madrid - club brujas ended with Atlético de Madrid winning 4-1 on the night and 7-4 on aggregate, a result sealed by a hat-trick from Sorloth that sent Diego Simeone’s side into the Champions League Round of 16. The victory matters now because it resolves a two-legged tie that had finished 3-3 in the first leg and sets Atlético up to face either Tottenham or Liverpool next.
Atlético Madrid - Club Brujas: key turning points
Atlético took an early lead through Sorloth, a goal that involved contact with opposing goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, but Brujas responded before halftime when Joel Ordóñez converted from a corner to make it 1-1. The visitors might have gone into the break ahead if not for an impressive save by Jan Oblak, who with a manotazo prevented the ball from crossing the goal line.
Sorloth’s hat-trick and decisive moments
Sorloth finished with three goals, including a second after a collective move that featured Antoine Griezmann and Ademola Lookman, and a precise strike inside the area in the closing minutes to complete his treble. His sequence—first goal that involved Mignolet’s intervention, a strike after the Griezmann–Lookman combination, and a late, clinical finish—created the margin Atlético needed to progress 7-4 on aggregate following the 3-3 draw in the first leg.
Johnny Cardoso’s 48’ strike and first goal as rojiblanco
Early in the second half, Johnny Cardoso scored in the 48th minute after taking a rebound outside the area; his shot threaded through several legs and finished in the net to make it 2-1. That goal was Cardoso’s first for Atlético and was singled out as a significant personal milestone after a period in which he had been short on luck at the start of the season.
Lookman, Griezmann and Simeone’s match plan
Lookman began the game on the bench but proved instrumental in the move that led to Sorloth’s second, combining neatly with Griezmann to open space and deliver the key pass. The collective interplay between Lookman and Griezmann produced a calm, controlling phase in the second half, which Simeone’s team used to dominate possession and secure the result.
Oblak, Mignolet and the defensive swing
Jan Oblak’s intervention at the end of the first half was a live turning point: the goalkeeper’s save kept the score level rather than allowing Brujas to head into the interval ahead. On the other end, Simon Mignolet’s involvement in Sorloth’s opener—described as a collaboration in the buildup—shows how small moments between keepers and strikers affected the tie.
Reactions, ratings and what comes next
Commentators highlighted a “colossal” performance from the Norwegian striker, praising not only the three goals but his intensity in duels, pressing work and decisions with the ball; analyst Javier Sillés offered particularly strong praise for Sorloth’s overall contribution. A player-by-player assessment was compiled by Jesús Colino, who noted Sorloth’s standout evening and gave context to the wider performance.
The broader implication is clear: Atlético’s win changes the immediate landscape of the Champions League bracket, setting up a last-16 clash with either Tottenham or Liverpool. What makes this notable is Sorloth’s timing—his mid- and late-season form has been described as a decisive streak that currently overshadows other attacking options, with commentary suggesting he is eclipsing Julián Álvarez in impact for the moment.
Fans and staff celebrated a night described in match commentary as “redonda” for Simeone and the Norwegian striker, while team voices noted the importance of collective offensive push and of teammates supplying good passes. The tie closed with a 4-1 match scoreline and a 7-4 aggregate, confirming Atlético’s passage to the Champions League Round of 16.
