He Atlético de Madrid sealed their qualification to the round of 16 of the Champions League after beating 4-1 at Witches in the second leg of the playoff, resolving a tie that had been left open after the 3-3 score in the first leg in Belgium. The great protagonist of the night was Alexander Sorloth, author of a hat trick that propelled the red and white team into the top 16 of the tournament.
Sorloth led the way and Brugge responded before the break
The team led by Diego Simeone struck first thanks to a quick transition initiated by Jan Oblak. The goalkeeper launched a long pass that ended with a left-footed shot by Sorloth inside the area for 1-0 in the 23rd minute.
However, the Belgian team reacted before the break. Ecuadorian center back Joel Ordóñez equalized with a header practically over the line after a corner, marking the 1-1 in the 36th minute. The goal once again showed Atlético’s defensive difficulties, which has conceded at least one goal in each of its games in this edition of the Champions League.
Cardoso and Griezmann’s entry changed the game
The tie did not stop Atlético, who came out determined after the break. In the 48th minute, American Johnny Cardoso took advantage of a rebound on the edge of the area to score 2-1 and restore the lead in the tie.
In the second half, Antoine Griezmann, the club’s all-time top scorer, entered, who directly participated in the third goal after a triangulation with Ademola Lookman that ended again at the feet of Sorloth to widen the difference in the 76th minute.
The Norwegian striker completed his perfect night by scoring the hat trick with a shot inside the area after a cross from Matteo Ruggeri in the 87th minute, definitively sealing the match.
Atlético joins Barcelona in the round of 16
With this victory, Atlético de Madrid becomes the second Spanish team to qualify for the round of 16, along with FC Barcelona, which advanced directly after finishing in the top eight of the regular phase.
The red and white team, currently fourth in LaLiga and far from the lead, now focuses its aspirations for success on the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, where it is already in the semifinals.
In the next European round they will face an English rival, Liverpool or Tottenham, as determined by Friday’s draw. For its part, Real Madrid could complete the Spanish presence in the round of 16 if it manages to maintain the 1-0 advantage obtained in the first leg against Benfica.
