Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman played a decisive creative role as Atlético Madrid stormed into the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Club Brugge on Tuesday night, sealing a 7-4 aggregate triumph.
While Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth grabbed the headlines with a clinical hat-trick, Lookman’s impact off the bench proved instrumental in Atlético’s dominant second-half display at the Metropolitano.
The Spanish side entered the second leg following a thrilling 3-3 draw in Belgium, and the visitors showed early attacking intent.
Brugge pressed high and nearly capitalised through Hugo Vetlesen, but Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak stood firm between the posts.
Atlético broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Sørloth expertly controlled a long clearance from Oblak before firing a left-footed strike that slipped under veteran goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Brugge responded in the 36th minute through Joel Ordóñez, who headed home from close range after Brandon Mechele flicked on a corner delivered by Christos Tzolis.
The equaliser set up a tense finish to the first half, with Oblak producing a stunning one-handed save to deny Vetlesen and keep the tie balanced.
After the break, Atlético raised their intensity. Johnny Cardoso restored the lead just two minutes into the second half, controlling a loose clearance with his chest before firing home from the edge of the area.
However, it was the introduction of Ademola Lookman that injected fresh urgency and creativity into Diego Simeone’s attack.
The Nigerian international combined brilliantly with Antoine Griezmann in the 76th minute, exchanging sharp passes that carved open the Brugge defence and set up Sørloth for a simple left-footed finish.
Lookman’s movement and vision destabilised the Belgian side, stretching their backline and creating space in dangerous areas.
His link-up play demonstrated his growing importance within Atlético’s attacking rotation, particularly in high-stakes European fixtures.
Sørloth completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute, arriving at the back post to convert Matteo Ruggeri’s cross and cap off a dominant second-half performance.
Atlético now await Friday’s draw, where they could face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the next round.
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