Match report: Magical night for Atlético and Sørloth against Brugge | OneFootball

Huge performance by Atleti at home for a magical Champions League victory, which puts us into the round of 16. It wasn't easy despite the scoreline (4-1), but the Belgians kept insisting and showed they are a great opponent, which makes the knockout stage resolved at the Metropolitano even more commendable.

It was undoubtedly Sorloth's night, who, like a true area killer, achieved a tremendous hat-trick, in what I believe was the Norwegian's best match wearing the Atleti shirt. Not just because of the number of goals, but because of the quality of the goals, his offensive contribution throughout the game, his dedication, and the confidence he exudes, both for himself and for the team.

Oblak was also key, with the assist to Sorloth for the first goal and also with a devilish save on the line in the first half with the score tied at one. Without his contribution, the first goal wouldn't have counted, and the 1-2 could have been a significant psychological blow in the match. Oblak did what Oblak does and was once again a giant pillar for the team.

Apart from the team's first goal, we didn't shoot more on target, but Giuliano forced a possible penalty at the start of the match, which VAR didn't want the referee to review. Already in the 23rd minute, Oblak launched a long ball, and the Norwegian controlled it to approach the area and fire a quick shot that Mignolet couldn't stop, a serious mistake. The Belgian goalkeeper could have done more.

At that moment, Atleti enjoyed their best moments, but in a corner kick in the 36th minute, Mechele got ahead of Pubill at the near post, flicked it back, and Ordóñez (who had just come on to stop the bleeding from a hit) finished comfortably and unopposed. All of this happened just before Oblak's great save from Vanaken's header, thanks to a play by Tzolis.

Difficult moments that made Atleti wish for halftime to arrive.

Goals and Calm to Seal the Knockout Stage

The second half gave us three goals, which sealed the knockout stage, although the Belgians didn't stop trying to stay close in the tie.

There were no changes, and Johnny Cardoso's goal right at the start of the second half brought calm to the team, something they needed a lot to avoid complications. The American played a good match, and the reward of the goal came by controlling the ball at the edge of the area and launching a missile, which meant the fourth advantage for the red and whites in the tie.

It wasn't a good match for Julián Álvarez, who left the field to make way for Griezmann with half an hour to go. A change that would help improve the team, just like with Lookman's entry.

The third goal came in the 76th minute, thanks to a combination between the Norwegian, the Frenchman, and the Nigerian. Sorloth made a run, with a long pass from Llorente, passing the ball to the Nigerian, who combined with Griezmann, to finally assist Lookman to Sorloth, for a goal that brought him closer to his hat-trick.

A hat-trick that came in the 87th minute from a corner that reached Ruggeri's feet, who connected again with Sorloth, as he often does lately, and the Norwegian finished with his foot, not his head, to seal the knockout stage, if it wasn't already.

Great match and great joy that we deserved (the fans and the team). Now we wait for the draw to see who our English opponent will be in the round of 16. Either Liverpool or Tottenham… Bring on the next one.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.