Champions League: Sørloth bulldozes, Atlético steamrolls Club Brugge into last 16

The match needed a man to settle it. It got a monster.

After a mad 3-3 first leg in Belgium, Atlético and Club Brugge met again at the Metropolitano for a high-tension second act. The scoreline: 4-1 to Atlético. And a colossal hat-trick from Alexander Sørloth.

When the Norwegian turns up like that, Atlético becomes a different beast.

Tight first half — Club Brugge answered back

Atlético started on the front foot, but Club Brugge fashioned the first real chance. Vetlesen saw his shot blocked, then Oblak produced a huge stop from a Belgian header.

Meanwhile, Sørloth had already struck.

A long clearance from Oblak, he won the physical duel with Mechele and drove a low shot across goal. Mignolet fluffed it. 1-0 (23′). The stadium erupted.

But Club Brugge didn’t roll over. From a corner, Mechele flicked it on and Joel Ordonez nodded in at the far post (36′). 1-1. Game on. Intensity through the roof.

Cardoso turns the tide

After the break Atlético kicked on. A left-side cross wasn’t cleared; Johnny Cardoso chested it down and hammered a heavy drive from the edge of the box. 2-1 (48′).

That goal flipped the mood. Madrid grabbed the emotional edge. Diego Simeone screamed, shoved his players on, felt every duel.

Club Brugge began to retreat.

Sørloth finishes it off — XXL

And the Norwegian did it again.

Lookman linked with Griezmann on the left. A whipped cross into the middle. Sørloth controlled and blasted it past Mignolet from close range (76′). 3-1.

Late on he completed the hat-trick, sealed qualification and set the Metropolitano alight (87′). Diego Simeone celebrated — arms aloft, eyes burning.

Three goals, relentless physicality, ice-cold finishing.

Atlético through — a nasty draw awaits

Atlético are through to the last 16. With Sørloth in that form, they can go a long way.

Next up: Tottenham or Liverpool. First leg at the Metropolitano, return in England. A proper test.

But for now, Madrid savors.

On big European nights you need a hero. Tuesday, Alexander Sørloth stole the show.

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