Alexander Sørloth fired a stunning hat-trick as Atletico Madrid secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Club Brugge KV in the UEFA Champions League.
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano crowd witnessed a dominant performance from their home side on February 24, 2026. Atletico Madrid entered the tie in strong European form, determined to progress deep into the knockout stages. Club Brugge faced a formidable challenge, aiming to upset the Spanish giants despite their underdog status.
Atletico quickly signalled their attacking intent. The breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute when Alexander Sørloth opened the scoring. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak launched a superb long pass, which Sørloth expertly controlled and guided home for the opener.
However, Club Brugge showed resilience. They found an equalizer in the 36th minute through Joel Ordonez. Brandon Mechele provided the assist, setting up Ordonez to finish clinically and silence the home supporters.
Tensions rose just before the break. Ordonez, the scorer, received a yellow card in the 40th minute for a rash challenge. The first half ended with the score surprisingly level at 1-1, leaving the tie finely poised.
Diego Simeone's men emerged for the second half knowing they needed to sharpen their attack. A more decisive performance was required to break down the Belgian visitors and avoid a potential upset on home soil.
Atletico wasted no time after the restart. Johnny Cardoso restored the home side's lead in the 48th minute. His well-placed shot found the back of the net, giving Atletico a crucial advantage early in the second period.
Managerial changes aimed to bolster Atletico's assault. Antoine Griezmann entered the fray in the 58th minute. Later, Ademola Lookman and Koke were introduced in the 70th minute, injecting fresh energy into the attack.
The tactical shifts paid off handsomely. Sørloth netted his second goal of the night in the 76th minute. Ademola Lookman, recently substituted on, provided the assist with intelligent play, setting up Sørloth for a powerful finish.
Sørloth completed his magnificent hat-trick in the 87th minute. Matteo Ruggeri delivered a precise pass, which the Norwegian striker dispatched with clinical precision to seal a resounding victory for Atletico. Late yellow cards were shown to Marcos Llorente and Raphael Vermant in the 85th minute, reflecting the match's intensity.
The statistics underscored Atletico’s efficiency. They converted 4 of their 5 shots on target into goals from 14 total shots, exceeding their 2.32 xG. Club Brugge managed 6 shots on target from 11 total shots, but their 1.81 xG only yielded one goal, despite enjoying 55% possession. Jan Oblak made 5 vital saves, preserving Atletico's lead.
This emphatic 4-1 triumph positions Atletico Madrid strongly in the UEFA Champions League. Alexander Sørloth’s individual brilliance ensures they carry significant momentum into the next stage of the competition.
