Six-Goal Spectacle Leaves Atletico and Club Brugge All Square Ahead of Second Leg

Key Takeaways:

• Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid drew 3-3 in the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off first leg last night
• Atletico Madrid remain winless away to Club Brugge in five attempts (D2, L3)
• The aggregate score stays level ahead of the return fixture scheduled for next Tuesday in Madrid

Match Overview

Atlético Madrid and Club Brugge delivered a thrilling six-goal contest in Belgium, concluding 3-3 after a dramatic UEFA Champions League knockout play-off first leg. The Spanish side’s quest for an inaugural away victory over the Belgian club continues, having now drawn twice and lost three times on Brugge’s turf.

We fought back!! 👊 All to play for next week! 🔵⚫ pic.twitter.com/iPlw2KnbS1

— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) February 18, 2026

First-Half Action: Atleti’s Early Lead

Despite Club Brugge’s formidable record – just three defeats in their last 21 European home outings – Diego Simeone’s men made a quick impact. After seven minutes, Joaquin Seys was penalised for handball in the box following a VAR intervention, allowing Julián Alvarez to slot in the opening goal from the spot, leaving Simon Mignolet stranded.

Club Brugge responded assertively, testing Jan Oblak with a powerful strike from Nicolò Tresoldi and a long-range effort by Raphael Onyedika, both skilfully denied by the Atletico goalkeeper. Nevertheless, the visitors doubled their tally in first-half added time when Antoine Griezmann expertly flicked on Marcos Llorente’s corner for Ademola Lookman to finish from close range. The 2-0 margin arguably flattered the visitors considering Brugge’s first-half efforts.

Second Half: Brugge’s Comeback and Late Drama

The hosts reduced the deficit seven minutes after the interval, capitalising on a rebound as Onyedika pounced to score after Oblak parried Tresoldi’s header. Momentum then swung to Brugge when Tresoldi, stretching to meet Mamadou Diakhon’s delivery, nudged the ball beyond Oblak to equalise just past the hour mark.

Simeone reacted by introducing Alexander Sørloth to bolster Atletico’s attack, and the Norwegian nearly found the net, heading Koke’s cross against the bar. Sørloth’s presence soon unsettled the Brugge defence, leading to Joel Ordóñez deflecting Llorente’s cross past his own goalkeeper and restoring Atleti’s advantage.

However, as Atletico Madrid looked to secure a crucial away victory, Christos Tzolis produced a superb angled strike late on, ensuring the aggregate score was level at the final whistle with the tie finely poised ahead of next week’s reverse fixture.

Head-to-Head and Recent Form

With this result, Club Brugge have now avoided defeat in their last six encounters against Spanish teams in European competitions, registering two wins and four draws. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid’s struggles away from home persist, having won only once and drawn three times with one defeat in their last five matches on the road in all competitions.