Atletico Madrid Reach Champions League Last-16 Thanks To Sorloth Hat-trick Against Club Brugge

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Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League last 16 with a 4-1 home win over Club Brugge, sealing a 7-4 aggregate success in the play-off second leg. Alexander Sorloth delivered a hat-trick at the Estadio Metropolitano on 24 February 2026, scoring the first, third and fourth goals for Diego Simeone's team.

Sorloth’s treble meant Atletico advanced to face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the next round, depending on the draw. The forward is now on five goals in this European campaign, his best return in continental competition, and has matched his total from his previous 20 Champions League appearances combined, also reaching three goals.

The Norwegian also entered Atletico Madrid Champions League history, becoming only the second player from the club to hit a hat-trick in the competition. The first was Mario Mandzukic, who scored three times against Olympiacos in November 2014, highlighting the scale of Sorloth’s display against Brugge in this high-pressure play-off tie.

Coming into this Atletico Madrid Champions League fixture, Simeone’s side had not beaten Brugge in four meetings and were winless in three Champions League games overall. The performance therefore eased some pressure, although defensive lapses, especially from set-pieces, and the shot numbers from Brugge suggested the contest was more balanced than the final scoreline indicated.

The second leg opened at high tempo, with both teams creating early openings before Atletico struck first. In the 23rd minute, Jan Oblak launched a long pass forward which Sorloth controlled under pressure from Brandon Mechele. Sorloth then held off the defender and hit a left-footed effort that slipped past Simon Mignolet’s hands.

Brugge responded strongly in this Atletico Madrid Champions League clash and drew level in the 36th minute. Christos Tzolis swung in a corner, Mechele flicked it on, and Joel Ordonez headed in at the far post. Almost immediately, Hugo Vetlesen met another Tzolis cross, but Oblak produced a vital point-blank save on the goal-line.

Atletico Madrid Champions League performance details

Atletico regained control of the Atletico Madrid Champions League tie right after half-time. Three minutes into the second period, Johnny Cardoso met a loose ball on the edge of the box. Cardoso struck a crisp half-volley into the bottom-left corner, restoring the lead and shifting momentum firmly back towards Simeone’s players.

As Brugge chased the Atletico Madrid Champions League tie, their attacking threat faded, and Atletico capitalised. With 14 minutes left, Ademola Lookman’s low cutback took a deflection and reached Sorloth, who controlled and finished neatly from close range. In the 87th minute, Matteo Ruggeri whipped in a teasing cross, and Sorloth volleyed past Mignolet to complete his hat-trick.

The statistics from this Atletico Madrid Champions League encounter showed a competitive contest despite the margin. Atletico attempted 14 shots for an expected goals figure of 2.32, while Brugge recorded 11 efforts and an expected goals value of 1.85. Set-pieces remained a concern for Simeone, with Atletico conceding eight such goals in this Champions League season, their highest in a single campaign.

This Atletico Madrid Champions League victory delivered progress and individual history for Sorloth, yet also highlighted areas for refinement. Atletico advanced with a 7-4 aggregate score and ended a poor sequence against Brugge, but defensive issues from dead-ball situations offered Simeone clear targets for improvement before facing Liverpool or Tottenham in the next round.