Atlético Madrid sealed their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Club Brugge on Tuesday night at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.
The Spanish side delivered a dominant performance in the second leg of the knockout play-off round, overturning the tension created by a dramatic 3-3 draw in the first leg to progress comfortably on aggregate.
Atletico entered the contest determined to secure qualification and broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute through Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth.
However, Club Brugge responded before halftime, with Joel Ordóñez leveling the score in the 36th minute to keep the tie finely poised heading into the break.
The hosts returned from halftime with renewed intensity. Midfielder Johnny Cardoso restored Atletico’s lead in the 48th minute, shifting momentum firmly in favor of Diego Simeone’s side.
Sørloth then took center stage, adding his second goal in the 67th minute before completing his hat-trick late in the 87th minute to extinguish any hopes of a Belgian comeback.
The emphatic victory underlined Atletico’s European ambitions this season, as the “Rojiblancos” advanced to the last 16 in convincing fashion after a high-scoring and fiercely contested tie.
With momentum on their side, Atletico Madrid now turn their attention to the next stage of Europe’s elite competition, aiming to build on a performance that reaffirmed their continental credentials.
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