Atletico Madrid Let Two Goal Lead Slip in Dramatic 3-3 Champions League Draw at Club Brugge

Atletico Madrid will be rueing missed opportunities after a dramatic 3-3 draw in the Champions League first-leg play-off at Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

Despite taking a two-goal lead in the first half, Diego Simeone’s side couldn’t hold on, leaving the tie wide open for next week’s return leg.

Early Advantage for Atletico

The Spanish side started confidently, with Julian Alvarez converting a penalty after a handball by Brugge’s Joaquin Seys.

Alvarez, remembered for a controversial disallowed spot-kick against Real Madrid last season, struck with authority to give Atletico the lead.

Shortly after, Ademola Lookman added a second, finishing from close range after a clever flick-on by Antoine Griezmann from Alvarez’s corner.

At that point, Atletico appeared in control, despite Brugge creating chances through Mamadou Diakhon and Raphael Onyedika, with Jan Oblak making key saves.

Brugge Fights Back

After the break, the hosts showed resilience.

Onyedika tapped in following another excellent save from Oblak to halve the deficit.

Then Nicolo Tresoldi finished from Diakhon’s cross to equalize on the hour mark, sending the Jan Breydel Stadium into raptures.

Atletico had chances to regain composure, with Alexander Sorloth heading narrowly wide.

However, an unfortunate own goal by Joel Ordonez restored Atletico’s advantage, only for Greek winger Christos Tzolis to grab a 90th-minute equalizer, initially ruled offside but confirmed after VAR review.

Atletico’s Struggles Continue

The result highlights Atletico’s ongoing defensive issues.

Captain Koke admitted after the game: “We were two up and didn’t know how to hold on to the lead.

It was a rollercoaster, like it’s been all season. We have to concentrate more.”

With La Liga hopes fading, Atletico are looking at cup competitions, including the Champions League, as their primary route to silverware.

But their inability to protect leads will worry Simeone ahead of the return leg.

What’s Next?

The second leg is set for next Tuesday at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. Atletico will need to tighten defensively to avoid conceding early goals, while Brugge will carry confidence from a dramatic late equalizer.

Fans can expect another tense, high-stakes clash with a place in the last 16 on the line.

Summary

Atletico Madrid twice lost a two-goal lead in a 3-3 draw at Club Brugge in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off.

Goals from Julian Alvarez, Ademola Lookman, and an own goal initially gave Atletico control, but Raphael Onyedika, Nicolo Tresoldi, and Christos Tzolis rescued points for the Belgian side.

The result leaves everything to play for ahead of the return leg in Madrid next week.