Tzolis clinches draw for Brugge in exhilarating six-goal clash against error-prone Atletico

Greek forward Christos Tzolis netted a dramatic late leveller for Club Brugge, ensuring Atletico Madrid surrendered their advantage twice in a pulsating 3-3 draw during the first leg of the Champions League playoff on Wednesday.

Simeone's team surged to a 2-0 lead in the opening period, yet Brugge responded resiliently to level at 2-2, only for an unfortunate own goal to restore the Spanish outfit's edge, before Tzolis delivered the decisive blow in front of the home crowd in Belgium.

Atletico, yet to claim Champions League glory, trail significantly in La Liga standings and view a trophy haul this campaign as most viable through knockout competitions.

That said, their defensive lapses ensured the tie remains wide open ahead of next Tuesday's return fixture, with a spot in the last 16 hanging in the balance.

"We led by two and struggled to maintain it," Atletico skipper Koke remarked to Movistar.

"The match was a wild ride, much like our season so far. We need sharper focus."

Simeone acknowledged the challenging encounter against a team that previously shared a 3-3 result with Barcelona in the league stage.

"This was against arguably the fiercest side in the Champions League," Simeone noted.

"The overall picture points to a deserved stalemate... we host the return and aim to deliver a strong performance."

Atletico struck first via Julian Alvarez's penalty, awarded after Joaquin Seys handled carelessly.

The forward, whose attempt against local foes Real Madrid in the prior edition was voided for a double contact and contributed to Atletico's exit, slotted it with conviction.

Brugge dominated much of the initial half, as Mamadou Diakhon fired just past the post, while Jan Oblak denied Raphael Onyedika.

Nevertheless, the hosts trailed by two at halftime.

Ademola Lookman, thriving since his January switch, converted from near range following Antoine Griezmann's deft touch on Alvarez's corner.

Brugge reduced the deficit in the 52nd minute, Onyedika converting after Oblak brilliantly blocked Nicolo Tresoldi's header.

The Belgian forward Tresoldi then equalised on the hour, thrilling the Jan Breydel faithful with a composed finish from Diakhon's delivery.

Atletico's Alexander Sorloth headed inches astray prior to Joel Ordonez's mishap gifting the away side the lead once more.

Yet in the 89th minute, Brugge replied, Tzolis latching onto a pass on the flank and converting neatly. The strike was first flagged for offside but overturned following VAR intervention.

"It proved an engaging contest with varied momentum shifts," Brugge manager Ivan Leko commented.

"Trailing 2-0 to such a formidable opponent... we faced tough odds, but the squad displayed tremendous spirit and skill in possession...

"Atletico enter as heavy favourites, yet we can compete on merit and will exert every effort to advance."