Club Brugge secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-1 away victory against Atalanta on Tuesday, having won the first leg 2-1.
It is only the fourth time a Belgian club had passed the first round of the Champions League into the last 16. Previously, it had been Anderlecht in 2001, Gent in 2016 and Club Brugge two years ago.
The ‘Blauw en Zwart’ started the game on Tuesday with high intensity. After just three minutes, Hans Vanaken’s incisive pass from midfield allowed Chemsdine Talbi to beat Italian goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi with a right-footed shot (3rd minute, 0-1).
The 19-year-old forward also scored a second following a saved shot by Ferran Jutgla, Talbi was well-placed in the box to score from the rebound (27th minute, 0-2).
Before half-time, Brugge took advantage of Atalanta’s bad luck—a shot by Davide Zappacosta hit the post, followed by a Juan Cuadrado effort which was cleared off the line. A subsequent counterattack saw the Belgians extend their lead through Jutgla (45+3 minute, 0-3).
Atalanta pulled one back at the start of the second half with a goal from substitute Ademola Lookman (46th minute, 1-3).
An hour into the match, the Nigerian striker had a chance to revive the game with a penalty, but his shot was saved by Simon Mignolet, who made several crucial stops throughout the game.
In a tense finish, marked by the sending off of Rafael Toloi (87th minute), Club Brugge maintained their lead to secure qualification with an aggregate score of 5-2 over the two legs.
In the round of 16, Brugge will face either Lille or Aston Villa, both of whom qualified directly after the group stage. The draw will take place on Friday.
