Ademola Lookman returned to action with a bang on Tuesday night as Club Brugge defeated 10-man Atalanta 3-1 in their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off second leg, Afrosport reports.
Lookman, who has been out for about three weeks with a knee injury, started the game on the bench with Atalanta hoping to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.
The Nigerian, however, got his 15th goal in all competitions this season with a sublime 46th-minute strike at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
Club Brugge book their spot in the round of 16 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/XzhCrW51ww
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 18, 2025
Club Brugge took the lead early on through Belgian forward Chemsdine Talbi, with the forward finding the bottom corner inside the opening three minutes.
The 19-year-old doubled his tally in the 27th minute, rebounding home an initial effort from Christos Tzolis.
The visitors put the tie further away from Atalanta’s reach as Spaniard Ferran Jutgla made it three in first-half stoppage time.
Gian Piero Gasperini brought on Lookman immediately after the second half restart, and the reigning African Player of the Year delivered immediately, poking home a low cross from Davide Zappacosta.
Lookman had the opportunity to further reduce the deficit, but he had his penalty saved by Simon Mignolet a minute past the hour mark.
The result meant Club Brugge progressed to the last 16 following a 5-2 aggregate win, and the Belgian club will face either Lille or Aston Villa when the knockout phase kicks off.
Elsewhere, Benfica reached the last 16 following a 4-3 aggregate win over Monaco, with both teams settling for a 3-3 draw in a six-goal thriller in Lisbon.
Benfica hold on for a place in the round of 16 🦅#UCL pic.twitter.com/8R8bE8WJs0
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 18, 2025
