SOCCER: Sorloth hat-trick sends Atletico Madrid into Champions League last 16

MADRID – Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth scored a hat-trick as the Spanish side defeated Belgium’s Club Brugge 4-1 on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League playoff, sealing a 7-4 aggregate win to advance to the last 16.

Johnny Cardoso also scored for Atletico, while Joel Ordonez netted Brugge’s lone goal in the 36th minute.

Atletico opened the scoring after Brugge’s Hugo Vetlesen had two early chances blocked. Despite a high-pressing start from the Belgians, Atletico’s quality shone through in a dominant second half. They now await Friday’s round-of-16 draw to see if they will face Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.

Sorloth struck first in the 23rd minute, cleverly controlling a long kick from goalkeeper Jan Oblak before firing a left-footed shot that slipped under veteran Brugge keeper Simon Mignolet. Brugge responded with a set-piece goal when Brandon Mechele flicked on Christos Tzolis’s corner, leaving Ordonez to score a close-range header.

Atletico regained the lead early in the second half. Cardoso converted a header from Giuliano Simeone’s cross, controlling it with his chest before finishing with his right foot.

Sorloth added his second in the 76th minute, finishing a move involving substitutes Ademola Lookman and Antoine Griezmann. He completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute, side-footing Matteo Ruggeri’s cross at the back post, cementing Atletico’s dominance.

Atletico Madrid now look forward to the last 16 with confidence after a commanding second-half display. -Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters