Club Brugge pulled off a stunning 3-1 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo, securing a 5-2 aggregate win and booking their place in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Round of 16. The Belgian side ended their seven-match winless away run against Italian opposition emphatically, silencing the passionate home crowd and sending a strong message to their European rivals.
Early Blow for Atalanta
Atalanta started the game with intent, eager to overturn the 2-1 deficit from the first leg. Sead Kolašinac almost gave the hosts an early lead, heading over from a Juan Cuadrado corner inside two minutes. But moments later, the visitors hit back with a stunning goal. Ardon Jashari dispossessed Éderson and produced a cheeky backheel, allowing Hans Vanaken to pick out Ferran Jutglà. The Spanish forward found 19-year-old Chemsdine Talbi, who unleashed a thunderous strike into Marco Carnesecchi’s far corner.
Now leading 3-1 on aggregate, Club Brugge looked comfortable and settled into the game. Atalanta thought they had equalized when Mateo Retegui found the net, but VAR ruled him offside. Moments later, Éderson was denied by a crucial save from Simon Mignolet, ensuring Brugge’s lead remained intact.
Talbi at the Double
Just when Atalanta was pushing for a response, Brugge hit them again. Jashari weaved through the midfield before setting up Christos Tzolis, whose shot was initially saved by Carnesecchi. However, Talbi pounced on the rebound to claim his second-night goal and put Brugge in cruise control with a 4-1 aggregate lead.
Atalanta pushed forward in desperation, with Davide Zappacosta, Mario Pašalić, and Cuadrado all coming close before halftime. But Brugge’s counter-attacking efficiency shone again as Vanaken sent Tzolis racing forward, who picked out Jutglà. The Spanish striker controlled the ball superbly and smashed home a breathtaking half-volley from 20 yards to make it 3-0 on the night.
Lookman Brings Hope, Mignolet Shuts the Door
Atalanta needed a miracle, and Gian Piero Gasperini introduced Nigerian international Ademola Lookman at halftime. The substitution paid immediate dividends, as Lookman turned in a Zappacosta cross to reduce the deficit. The hosts thought they had a lifeline when VAR awarded them a penalty after Tzolis was judged to have fouled Cuadrado. However, Lookman saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by the experienced Mignolet, who continued to frustrate Atalanta by denying Retegui moments later.
Frustration and a Late Red Card
Atalanta’s night went from bad to worse when captain Rafael Tolói was sent off for shoving Maxim De Cuyper. With the numerical advantage, Brugge comfortably saw out the match, securing a historic victory and a place in the UCL last 16.
What Next for Club Brugge?
Club Brugge is now dreaming big in Europe with a potential clash against Lille or Aston Villa in the next round. Their disciplined defense, clinical finishing, and tactical brilliance have made them formidable. Atalanta’s UCL home struggles continue, and they must regroup ahead of their domestic and European commitments.
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This historic night in Bergamo will be remembered for Club Brugge’s fearless display, stunning goals, and unwavering resilience. As they await their next challenge in the UCL, one thing is clear—they are here to make history.
