AfriPulse
Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge shared six goals in a dramatic 3-3 draw in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off on Wednesday night.
Both Nigerian internationals played decisive roles, with Ademola Lookman scoring for Atletico and Raphael Onyedika producing a goal and an assist as Brugge fought back from two goals down.
Atletico race ahead
The visitors struck early when a VAR review awarded them a penalty in the eighth minute. Julian Alvarez converted confidently to give Atletico a 1-0 lead.
Brugge pressed for a response and were denied a penalty appeal after the ball struck Koke’s arm, a decision that earned coach Ivan Leko a booking for dissent.
Onyeka showed dominance in the game, with a goal and an assist – Getty image
Onyedika tested Jan Oblak from distance late in the first half, but the goalkeeper saved comfortably. Moments before the break, Atletico doubled their advantage.
Antoine Griezmann flicked on a corner and Lookman finished at the back post to make it 2-0.
Brugge respond in style
The Belgian side began the second half with urgency and were rewarded in the 51st minute. Onyedika reacted quickest after Oblak parried an effort, converting from close range to halve the deficit.
Ten minutes later, Brugge were level. Mamadou Diakhon’s low cross found Nicolo Tresoldi, who tapped home to stun the Spanish side.
Atletico regained the lead in the 79th minute when Joel Ordonez turned the ball into his own net under pressure.
However, Brugge refused to fold. In the 89th minute, Onyedika delivered a precise pass to Christos Tzolis, who finished to secure a 3-3 draw.
The result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where a place in the round of 16 will be decided.
Source: Gistreel | Read the Full Story…
