Decision comes in Madrid: Atleti blow their lead twice, as resilient Club Brugge refuse to die
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 19.02.26. | 11:19
The La Liga side was ahead for two-thirds of the game and still failed to emerge victorious in a six-goal thriller in Belgium - 3-3
After the first 45 minutes of the Champions League playoffs clash between Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid in Belgium, everything seemed perfect for the visitors. Julian Alvarez broke the deadlock from the spot just eight minutes into the game, while Ademola Lookman doubled Los Colchoneros' lead in the most ideal moment - the final seconds of added time.
However, the second half reminded everyone of how quickly the tables can turn in football. As if the rivals had changed roles, only a quarter of an hour after the break, they were tied - 2-2!
Club Brugge twice fight back from behind to draw 3-3 in a thrilling game against Atletico Madrid.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) February 18, 2026
Christos Tzolis' stoppage time equaliser means it will be all square heading back to the Spanish capital.
Atletico are now without a clean sheet in nine Champions League games -… pic.twitter.com/ofu2QbLDgg
Lookman's Nigeria teammate Raphael Onyedika reduced the gap in the 52nd minute to Nicolo Tresoldi's assist, while the German put his name on the scoresheet eight minutes later, completing Club Brugge's comeback.
At that point, it seemed that the Belgians had a momentum on their side, but the tide had turned again in the 79th minute, when Joel Ordonez's own goal put Atleti ahead once more.
Yet, Club Brugge's never-give-up spirit turned out to be the decisive factor, as they managed to bounce back for the second time in the penultimate minute over Christos Tzolis and salvage a 3-3 draw.
Diego Simeone's team spent two-thirds of the game in the lead, and still failed to win. At home, in Madrid, in five days, Los Colchoneros will be favourites to advance, but the resilient rivals showed them they will undoubtedly be a tough nut to crack.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - PLAYOFFS
First leg
Tuesday
Galatasaray - Juventus 5-2 (1-2)
/Sara 15, Lang 49, 75, Sanchez 60, Boey 86 - Koopmeiners 16, 32/
Benfica - Real Madrid 0-1 (0-0)
/Vinicius 50/
Dortmund - Atalanta 2-0 (2-0)
/Guirassy 3, Beier 42/
Monaco - PSG 2-3 (2-2)
/Balogun 1, 18 - Doue 29, 67, Hakimi 41/
Wednesday
Qarabag - Newcastle 1-6 (0-5)
/Jafarguliyev 54 - Gordon 3, 32 (p), 33, 45+1 (p), Thiaw 8, Murphy 72/
Bodo - Inter 3-1 (1-1)
/Fet 20, Hauge 61, Hogh 64 - Esposito 30/
Club Brugge - Atl.Madrid 3-3 (0-2)
/Onyedika 51, Tresoldi 60, Tzolis 89 - Alvarez 8 (p), Lookman 45+4, Ordonez 79 (og)/
Olympiakos - Leverkusen 0-2 (0-0)
/Schick 60, 63/