AFCON 2025
A late seemingly controversial penalty gave Club Brugge a slim advantage over Atalanta in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs.
The first meeting between the two sides was keenly contested from the start to the 90-minute minute until the penalty incident.
Ferran Jutgla put the home side ahead with a brilliant finish from the edge of the box fifteen minutes into the match.
Mario Pasalic equalized for the visitors after a couple of missed chances from both sides.
The Croatian midfielder scored from close range as he rushed into the box to reach Davide Zappacosta’s cross.
Simon Mignolet, the former Liverpool goalkeeper made a superb save to stop Zappacosta’s header from landing in the back of the net.
The match was heading for a one-all draw until Atalanta defender Isak Hien shoved Gustaf Nilsson on his chin while trying to make a clearance in the box.
Referee Halil Umut Meler pointed to the penalty spot and upheld his decision after a VAR review.
Things got messy as Juan Cuadrado, goalkeeper Rui Patricio, and Isak Hien received yellow cards while challenging the penalty decision.
Gustaf Nilsson stepped and buried the penalty 8kto the middle of goalro give Club Brugge a late winner ahead of the second leg in Bergamo
