Topping Group B, Club Brugge validated their ticket to the knockout stages of the Champions League by picking up a point at Atletico de Madrid’s ground (0-0) on Wednesday evening.

Game: 0-0

The equation was simple for Club Brugge on Wednesday at Atlético de Madrid: the winner of their first three matches. Group BChampion of Belgium Just one point is enough To secure their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League. And that’s exactly what he got, not without difficulty.

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Image of Atlético de Madrid-Club Bruges

Down to ten in the 82nd minute after Ghana’s winger Kamal Sowa was sent off, the visitors struggled towards the end of a match which they spent mainly defending (35% possession, 5 shots on target just 1), especially in the second half. They can thank their Belgian international goalkeeper Simon Mignelette, author of nine saves, including a lucky one in front of Alvaro Morata in 88. An indication that nothing will happen to him on Wednesday evening.

Atlético, forced to attack to keep their future in Europe from looking bleak, tried everything (21 shots including 17 inside the box), carrying the hyperactive Antoine Griezmann (8 shots including 5 on target) among others. Formalization of his final transfer. But like their French world champion (49th) or his attacking partner Joaquin Correa (20th, 49th), the Colconeros are often imprecise in the final gesture. If Seoul (23) and the same Korea (47) hit the net, their goals were logically disallowed for offside. After four days, their team had just four points.

Player: Mignolet was impossible

If Bruges have booked their ticket to the round of 16, they owe it to the Belgian international goalkeeper, who shone from start to finish on Wednesday. Crucial to Griezmann’s (14th) opening quarter-hour, he blocked all of the Frenchman’s efforts, a header in the 26th minute and a lob in the 49th, as well as a half-volley in the 36th. In the final minutes, still decisive in front of Morata (88th) and Cunha (90th + 1), he was even behind the action of the penalty awarded to his team in the 41st – logically canceled after the video aid – quickly rerolling hand.

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