Alexander Sorloth scored a superb hat-trick as Atletico Madrid defeated Club Brugge to seal a Champions League last-16 clash with either Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool.
The Norwegian striker opened the scoring in the 23rd minute at the Wanda Metropolitano, collecting a long ball from goalkeeper Jan Oblak before firing a half-volley that squirmed past Simon Mignolet.
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Brugge responded 13 minutes later. Joel Ordonez, who scored an own goal in the 3-3 first-leg draw, headed home from a corner to level the tie once more.
With the contest finely poised, United States international Johnny Cardoso rifled in a low strike three minutes after the restart to put Atletico 5-4 ahead on aggregate.
Brugge threatened to swing momentum their way before the interval. Hugo Vetlesen thought he had given the visitors the lead when he met a delivery from Christos Tzolis, but Oblak produced a fine save to keep the hosts in control.
Diego Simeone’s side, who had surrendered a two-goal advantage late in the first leg, showed greater composure on home soil. Sorloth, starting ahead of Antoine Griezmann, proved decisive.
The in-form forward, fresh from a brace against Espanyol in La Liga, struck twice in the final 14 minutes to complete his hat-trick and wrap up a convincing win, ending Atletico’s three-game winless run in Europe and booking their place in the knockout phase against Premier League opposition.
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