Atletico Madrid twice squandered the advantage as they were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Wednesday night.
Diego Simeone’s side stormed into a 2-0 lead in the first half but were pegged back by a spirited Brugge side. Although the Spanish outfit edged ahead again in the second half, Christos Tzolis struck in the 90th minute to earn the Belgian hosts a crucial equaliser ahead of next week’s decisive return leg.
Atletico, still seeking their first Champions League title and trailing in the La Liga title race, view the competition as one of their best chances for silverware this season. However, defensive lapses left the tie finely poised with a last-16 spot at stake.
Julian Alvarez opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Joaquin Seys handled the ball inside the area. The Argentine forward made no mistake, confidently converting despite memories of last season’s controversial double-touch penalty against Real Madrid that led to Atletico’s elimination.
Brugge showed promise in the first half, with Mamadou Diakhon firing narrowly wide and Jan Oblak producing a fine save to deny Raphael Onyedika.
Despite the hosts’ attacking efforts, Atletico doubled their lead before the break when Ademola Lookman finished from close range after Antoine Griezmann flicked on Alvarez’s corner.
The Belgian side responded strongly after halftime. Onyedika reduced the deficit in the 52nd minute, tapping in after Oblak parried Nicolo Tresoldi’s header. Tresoldi then drew Brugge level on the hour mark, clinically finishing Diakhon’s cross to ignite the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Alexander Sorloth came close to restoring Atletico’s lead before Brugge defender Joel Ordonez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, putting the visitors back in front.
However, Brugge had the final say. In stoppage time, Tzolis broke through on the left and slotted home. Though initially ruled offside, VAR overturned the decision to confirm the equaliser, leaving the contest wide open heading into the second leg.
