A thrilling six-goal spectacle at Jan Breydel Stadium saw Club Brugge KV stage two remarkable comebacks to snatch a dramatic 3-3 draw against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Club Brugge, a formidable force in Belgian football, faced a stern test against European giants Atletico Madrid, known for their tactical discipline. Atletico arrived with strong form in the competition, while Brugge looked to improve their group standing.
Atletico seized an early lead, silencing the home crowd. In the eighth minute, Julián Alvarez confidently converted a penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Club Brugge received an early yellow card for I. Leko in the 22nd minute, signaling growing tension. Atletico continued to press their advantage.
Just before the break, Atletico doubled their lead. In the 45+4 minute, Ademola Lookman drilled home a shot after an assist from Antoine Griezmann.
Atletico went into halftime leading 2-0, seemingly in control after a clinical first-half performance.
Club Brugge returned to the field needing a drastic shift. Coach Carl Hoefkens likely inspired his team to believe in a turnaround against the Spanish visitors.
The hosts responded swiftly after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Raphael Onyedika pulled one back for Brugge with a powerful finish, assisted by Nicolò Tresoldi.
The Jan Breydel Stadium erupted in the 60th minute when Tresoldi himself slotted home the equalizer, assisted by Mamadou Diakhon. Brugge had incredibly fought back to 2-2.
Atletico then reclaimed the lead in the 79th minute through a cruel twist of fate for Brugge. J. Ordonez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, making it 3-2.
But Club Brugge refused to surrender. In the 89th minute, Christos Tzolis fired in the dramatic equalizer, ensuring the points were shared. Onyedika provided the assist.
The statistics reflected the open nature of the match. Club Brugge registered 10 shots on target from 16 total shots, while Atletico had 4 on target from 13. Atletico’s Jan Oblak was particularly busy, making 7 saves, despite Brugge holding 58% possession.
This pulsating 3-3 draw is a testament to Club Brugge's resilience, earning a valuable point against a strong Atletico Madrid side. For Atletico, it represents a missed opportunity to consolidate their position in the Champions League group, despite a strong attacking display with three goals.
