Atlético Madrid Vs Club Brugge — atlético madrid vs club brugge: Sorloth hat-trick seals 7-4 aggregate
In the Champions League playoff second leg, atlético madrid vs club brugge finished 4-1 on the night and 7-4 on aggregate as Alexander Sorloth scored a first Champions League hat-trick to send Atlético into the round of 16. The win came after a 23rd-minute opener, a Brugge equaliser, Johnny Cardoso's early second-half strike and two late Sorloth goals at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Atlético Madrid Vs Club Brugge recap
Alexander Sorloth opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when he ran onto a long ball from keeper Jan Oblak and his half-volley squirmed past Simon Mignolet. Club Brugge levelled 13 minutes later when Joel Ordonez headed from a corner after Brandon Mechele flicked the delivery on at the near post; Ordonez was making amends for an own goal he scored in the first leg when the two sides drew 3-3 six days ago.
Sorloth's hat-trick and finishing
Sorloth completed his first Champions League hat-trick with two confident finishes in the final 14 minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano, bringing his tally to five goals in this season's Champions League. The Norway striker had started in place of Antoine Griezmann and had shown good control when picked out by Oblak; his early shot caught Mignolet off guard. Sorloth had also netted twice against Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, and his hat-trick ended Atlético's three-game winless run in the Champions League.
Cardoso's 'perfect' night
United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso put Atlético back ahead early in the second half, thrashing home a low strike three minutes into the half; that effort is also recorded as the 48th-minute goal and came from a rasping half-volley from outside the box. It was Cardoso's first goal for the club and a milestone in a season that has been disrupted by injury. Cardoso said he had a "perfect" night. He also said: "I always dreamed about nights like this, playing in the Champions League at home with these fans, scoring a goal and getting the win. It was perfect. "
Cardoso's debut season at Atlético has been injury-hit since joining from Real Betis in July 2025; he has played just 203 minutes in the Champions League so far. He suffered an ankle injury in September which kept him out for six weeks and has failed to cement a regular spot in Atlético's midfield. He added: "I feel good. I had problems with injuries at the beginning, and I've never had many before. It wasn't the start I wanted, but I know what I can contribute to the team, and now I feel good. I have the confidence of all the staff and the players, they've supported me. "
Brugge response and chances
Brugge refused to be overawed after their first-leg comeback, and they had a near miss soon after Ordonez's header. Hugo Vetlesen thought he had put the visitors ahead less than two minutes later when he connected with a Christos Tzolis cross, only to be denied by a stellar save from Oblak. The tie remained finely balanced until the second half, when Cardoso's strike put Atlético 5-4 up on aggregate before Sorloth's late double sealed progression.
Aftermath and next opponents
The victory sets up a last-16 meeting with Premier League opposition: Atlético will face either Tottenham or Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16. Atlético also have domestic cup business: they will play Barça in the second leg of their cup semifinal next week. The club have had an inconsistent 2025-26, with some big results including a 4-0 thrashing of Barcelona in the Copa del Rey earlier this month, but they sit 13 points off the top of the LaLiga table.
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Diego Simeone's side moved through thanks to the 4-1 win on the night and the 7-4 aggregate scoreline, with Sorloth's hat-trick and Cardoso's first goal for the club the decisive moments.
