One of Liverpool’s potential last-16 Champions League opponents has been knocked out of the competition, with the Reds due to discover who they will face in Friday’s draw
19:38, 24 Feb 2026Updated 20:01, 24 Feb 2026
Liverpool’s possible Champions League last-16 opponent has become clearer after Tuesday’s play-off between Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge.
The Reds have known since the end of the league phase last month that it could face either the Spanish or Belgian outfit, along with Galatasaray or Juventus when the competition returns after the play-offs. This week marks the second leg of those Champions League ties, with Galatasaray traveling to Turin on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s fixture in Madrid saw Atletico and Brugge renew acquaintances after last week’s entertaining 3-3 draw in Belgium. And it was Diego Simeone’s side that came out on top, earning a 4-1 win to ensure it be involved in Friday’s draw.
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Atleti took the lead after 23 minutes when Alexander Sorloth’s shot squirmed through the clutches of ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
It was a moment to forget for the 37-year-old, who should have comfortably dealt with the strike.
It proved to be a costly mistake that handed the hosts an early advantage. Brugge did get back on level terms before the break, with Joel Ordonez, who was linked with a January move to Anfield, nodding in from a corner.
Sorloth netted a hat-trick in Atletico’s win over Brugge
But Ivan Leko’s side was unable to build on that equalizer three-quarters of the way through the tie.
Johnny Cardoso set the tone for the second period in the Spanish capital when he smashed home from the edge of the area just three minutes after the restart, before Sorloth helped himself to two more goals that took the tie away from Brugge.
He tapped in from Ademola Lookman’s pass into the area to finish off a well-worked Atletico move, and he then completed his hat-trick when he converted Matteo Ruggeri’s back-post cross.
Simeone could set for Anfield return
It means Atletico earned a 7-4 aggregate win and will be paired with either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in Friday’s draw.
The other Premier League side will most likely be drawn against Galatasaray, with the Turkish side leading Juventus 5-2 from last week’s first leg.
Liverpool has already played both Atletico and Galatasaray in this season’s Champions League, with a 3-2 win at Anfield against the former kickstarting its league stage campaign, while Arne Slot’s side was beaten 1-0 in Istanbul a few weeks later.
The last-16 ties will be played across 10/11 and 17/18 March, with Liverpool knowing it will play the second leg at home. The Reds won six of their eight league-phase games and finished third in the 36-team table.