Super Eagles attacker Ademola Lookman came off the bench to provide a vital assist as Atletico Madrid secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Club Brugge in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman has been in scintillating form since joining Atletico Madrid from Atalanta last summer.
However, in a surprising move, coach Diego Simeone opted to start the Nigerian from the bench as they welcomed the Belgian giants to the Estadio Metropolitano.
Despite the first leg ending in a high-scoring 3-3 draw, Los Colchoneros remained the heavy favorites heading into the return fixture.
Atletico Madrid dominated the early exchanges and broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Alexander Sørloth pounced on a pinpoint long ball from goalkeeper Jan Oblak, producing a composed finish to put the hosts ahead.
Oblak’s long pass
Sorloth’s holdup and squeezed-shotBeautiful piece ✨
— Squads Game (@SquadsDFS) February 24, 2026
The Belgians did not give up, however, and took just 13 minutes to respond. Joel Ordonez rose highest to meet a well-delivered cross, heading home to level the score and ensure the sides went into the interval on equal terms.
The Ademola Lookman Effect
The tie swung in Atleti’s favor early in the second half when Johnny Cardoso found the net just three minutes after the restart to make it 2-1.
Following the goal, Club Brugge grew into the game and began to dictate play. Interestingly, the absence of the suspended Raphael Onyedika did not seem to affect their rhythm, as they controlled the midfield but struggled to find a clinical final ball to test Oblak.
The turning point arrived in the 70th minute when Simeone introduced Lookman alongside Nahuel Molina in a tactical shift.
The impact was almost instantaneous. Just six minutes later, Lookman spearheaded a devastating counter-attack involving Sørloth and Antoine Griezmann.
The trio combined brilliantly inside the box, with Lookman showing selflessness by squaring the ball for Sørloth when he could have easily taken the shot himself. The Norwegian striker showed great composure, finishing with aplomb from close range to make it 3-1.
Sørloth eventually completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute, sealing a 4-1 win on the night and a comprehensive 7-4 aggregate victory.
The win means that Atletico have qualified for the round of 16 of the Champions League, while Club Brugge will have to try again next season.
Ademola Lookman vs. Club Brugge
• 20 minutes played
• 1 assist
• 83% pass accuracy
• 100% successful dribbles
• 100% ground duels won pic.twitter.com/SWT5u5VCDI— 49th. (@the49thstreet) February 24, 2026
For Lookman, it was his seventh goal contribution for Atleti, and he just seems unstoppable at this point.
