Atlético Reaches Champions League Round of 16 as Forbs' Brugge Exit, Benfica Faces Bernabéu Test

Atlético Madrid secured its place in the Champions League round of 16 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Club Brugge at the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano, completing a 7-4 aggregate triumph in the playoff round. The result puts Madrid into Friday's draw on February 27, 2026, where they will learn their opponent for the next phase.

For Portugal-based football fans tracking the careers of Portuguese players abroad, the match also marked the end of Carlos Forbs' European competition run. The 21-year-old winger, who has been a regular starter for the Belgian side this season, could not prevent his team's elimination from European competitions, though he remains active in domestic competition and the Belgian league.

Why This Matters

• Portuguese talent abroad: Carlos Forbs exits European competition after a strong season with Club Brugge — 6 goals and 9 assists across 36 matches in all competitions during the 2025-26 campaign.

• Historic Lisbon derby on the line: The most compelling angle for Portuguese fans: if Benfica beats Real Madrid on Wednesday, they will face Sporting CP in the round of 16—a scenario that would deliver an all-Portuguese Champions League knockout tie for the first time.

• Atlético's draw on Friday: The Champions League round-of-16 pairings will be finalized on February 27, 2026, at 12:00 CET, setting the stage for matches in March.

How Atlético Sealed the Tie

After a chaotic 3-3 draw in the first leg at Jan Breydelstadion, Diego Simeone's side wasted little time establishing control on home soil. Alexander Sorloth broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on a long ball launched by goalkeeper Jan Oblak — the former Benfica stopper — to finish coolly past Simon Mignolet.

Club Brugge responded before halftime. Ecuadorian defender Joel Ordóñez rose unmarked in the six-yard box to head home from a corner, restoring parity and briefly silencing the home crowd.

But Atlético's second-half barrage left no doubt about the outcome. Johnny Cardoso unleashed a thunderous strike in the 48th minute, and Sorloth completed his hat-trick with goals in the 76th and 87th minutes, sealing a comprehensive win.

Forbs' Campaign in European Competition Ends

Carlos Forbs, who has been a revelation for Club Brugge this season, was handed a starting role by Croatian coach Ivan Leko. The Portuguese international, operating on the left flank, struggled to impose himself against Atlético's disciplined defensive shape.

Across the 2025-26 campaign, Forbs has accumulated impressive numbers: 6 goals and 9 assists in 36 appearances, including 2 goals and 3 assists in 8 Champions League matches. His pace (clocked at 34.73 km/h) and creative output have made him one of the standout wingers in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, where he posted a 7.29 average rating and contributed 3 goals and 6 assists in 23 league games.

While his European campaign concludes with Brugge's elimination, Forbs continues competing in domestic league play and will remain active in other competitions through the remainder of the season.

Benfica's Bernabéu Challenge—With Sporting Derby at Stake

For Portugal-based supporters, the most consequential match this week remains Benfica's trip to the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday evening. The Eagles, managed by José Mourinho, must overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at Estádio da Luz, where a stunning strike from Vinícius Júnior settled the contest.

To advance, Benfica must:

• Win by two or more clear goals (e.g., 2-0, 3-1) to clinch the tie outright on aggregate.

• Win 1-0 to force extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.

Should they prevail, Benfica will face Sporting CP in the round of 16 — a scenario that would deliver a historic all-Portuguese Champions League knockout tie. Sporting, who finished fourth in the league phase, qualified directly for this round.

What's Next for Atlético

Atlético Madrid now enters the round-of-16 draw on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. As a playoff winner, they join other advancing teams in the draw with unseeded status.

The draw will determine the full bracket through to the final in Budapest on May 30, 2026. The round-of-16 matches are scheduled for March 10-11 and March 17-18.

Other Playoff Matches This Week

Tuesday's schedule also featured three other decisive second legs:

• Newcastle United vs. Qarabağ

• Inter Milan vs. Bodø/Glimt

• Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Wednesday's playoff round concludes with four high-stakes encounters:

• Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund (17:45)

• Real Madrid vs. Benfica (20:00)

• Juventus vs. Galatasaray (20:00)

• Paris Saint-Germain vs. Monaco (20:00)

All times listed are Continental European Time (CET), which aligns with Portugal Continental time.

What This Means for Portuguese Football Watchers

For those following Portuguese talent and clubs in Europe's premier competition, this round of fixtures carries significant weight. Carlos Forbs exits European competition after a breakout season, but his performances have firmly established him as a player to watch in future campaigns.

More importantly, Benfica's challenge at the Bernabéu offers the possibility of a historic all-Portuguese derby in the Champions League knockout stages. Should the Eagles overcome Real Madrid, a Sporting vs. Benfica matchup would represent a landmark moment for Portuguese football on the continent's grandest stage.

The draw on Friday, February 27, 2026, will clarify the path forward for all remaining clubs, setting the bracket through to the final in Budapest's Puskás Aréna in late May. With Atlético, Benfica, and Sporting all still in contention, Portuguese football remains well-represented in the latter stages of the competition.