‘Sadness but pride’: Club Brugge out of Champions League after defeat to Atlético Madrid
Club Brugge were knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday night following a 7-4 aggregate defeat to Atlético Madrid. After a 3-3 draw in the home leg, they lost the return leg 4-1 at the Estadio Metropolitano. Atlético will face Tottenham or Liverpool in the last 16.
Former AA Gent striker Alexander Sørloth opened the scoring, before Club’s Joel Ordóñez equalised to make it 1-1 at half-time. USA international Johnny Cardoso put Atlético in front again three minutes into the second half and with Club chasing another equaliser, Sørloth scored twice more to claim his first Champions League hat-trick.
"We were not afraid to lose ... Next year we will come back to do better"
Club coach Ivan Leko said he felt “first sadness but then pride” following his team’s elimination. “We showed football with energy and intensity,” the Croatian said. “We were not afraid to lose ... Next year we will come back to do better.”
Opposition coach Diego Simeone also praised his opponents after their defeat. “Club Brugge have a young squad, with brilliant midfielders,” he said. “They are very fast in attack and have very strong and brave attackers. Their coach uses an attractive style of play.”
Elsewhere, Norwegian minnows Bodø/Glimt produced one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history as they knocked out last year’s finalists Inter Milan to reach the last 16 for the first time. They won 5-2 on aggregate after wins in both legs of the tie.
#FlandersNewsService | Club Brugge players after their defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, 24 February 2026 © PHOTO ANDRES LOPEZ SHERIDAN / SPP / SIPA USA
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