Club Brugge Stuns Atalanta to Reach Champions League Last 16
Club Brugge pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the Champions League knockout stage, securing a dominant 3-1 victory over Atalanta to advance to the Round of 16. The Belgian side sealed the win with three first-half goals, once again defeating the current Europa League champions.
While Gian Piero Gasperini's team didn't exactly play poorly in the first half, they were let down by their finishing. Meanwhile, their opponents took full advantage of every chance they got.
Club Brugge took the lead in just the 3rd minute. Hans Vanaken launched a pass to Judas Zivkovic, who then set up Amir Talibi for a clinical low shot into the bottom corner. Midway through the first half, Talibi doubled his tally, finishing into an open goal after a save from the Atalanta goalkeeper. Right before halftime, the scoreline became emphatic — Jutgla took a long-range shot that found the perfect spot in the top-right corner of the net.
The game could have turned in the second half. Substitute Lookman scored with his first touch, and moments later, he had the chance to cut the deficit to just one goal with a penalty. However, his miss from the spot proved to be the turning point — Atalanta couldn't recover from that moment.
Final score: 3-1. Club Brugge advances to the Round of 16, where they will face either Lille or Aston Villa.
2024-25 UEFA Champions League
Atalanta - Club Brugge 1:3 (0:3)
Goals: Talbi, 3 (0:1); Talbi, 27 (0:2); Jutgla, 45 (0:3); Lookman, 46 (1:3)
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Toloi (till 86); Djimsiti; Kolasinac (Posch, 77); Zappacosta; Éderson J. (Brescianini, 83); Pasalic (Lookman, 46); de Roon; De Ketelaere; Cuadrado (Bellanova, 75); Retegui (Samardzic L., 75)
Bench: Rui Patricio; Rossi F.; Ruggeri; Palestra; Sulemana; Cassa; Vlahovic V.
Yellow Cards: Kolasinac 11; Djimsiti 80; de Roon 87
Red cards: Toloi 86'
Club Brugge: Mignolet; Ordonez J.; Mechele; De Cuyper; Seys; Jutgla (Nilsson G., 86); Onyedika; Vanaken; Jashari; Talbi (Siquet, 54); Tzolis (Nielsen C.M., 75)
Bench: Jackers; Romero; Spileers; Sabbe; Vetlesen; Skóraś; Vermant
Yellow Cards: Onyedika 36; Tzolis 60; De Cuyper 87; Nilsson G. 87
