Berlin [Germany], February 25: Alexander Sorloth sent Atletico Madrid into the Champions League last 16 after his hat-trick sealed a 4-1 home leg victory and 7-4 aggregate success over Club Brugge on Tuesday.
Sorloth broke the deadlock midway through the first half after keeper Jan Oblak's assist. Opposite number Simon Mignolet should have kept out the Norway forward's speculative effort. But Brugge's Joel Ordonez, who scored an own goal in the first leg, soon headed in a corner after a flick-on moments after having treatment for a bloody nose.
Atletico's inability to keep a clean sheet in Europe this season continues.
Oblak then made a superb save from Hugo Vetlesen's diving header and the hosts were grateful for half-time.
US midfielder Johnny Cardoso, though, netted from the edge of the area via a slight deflection on 48 minutes and Sørloth made the game safe on 76 before a clever late finish completed his treble.
The first leg in Belgium last Wednesday was a real humdinger, with the Spaniards racing into a 2-0 lead before twice being pegged back by Brugge, including in the 89th minute.
Atletico next face Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, who reached the last 16 by virtue of finishing in the top eight after the league phase.
A draw to decide the exact pairings - which will also decide future match-ups for the rest of the competition - takes place on Friday.
Three more play-off second legs follow. Bayer Leverkusen host Olympiacos Piraeus with a 2-0 lead, Inter welcome first leg victors Bodø/Glimt and Newcastle have a big advantage for the arrival of Qarabag.
Source: Qatar Tribune