Atalanta Stuns Dortmund to Reach Champions League Last 16

Atalanta secured a dramatic victory over Borussia Dortmund on February 25, 2026, overturning a two-goal deficit from the first leg to advance to the Champions League round of 16 with a final score of 4-1. The aggregate score finished 4-3 in favor of the Italian side, marking a significant comeback for Atalanta.

The match, played at the Stadio di Bergamo, saw Atalanta take an early lead with a goal from Gianluca Scamacca in the 5th minute. Scamacca capitalized on a cross from Lorenzo Bernasconi, which was slightly deflected by Ramy Bensebaini, putting the ball into the net. The home team continued to press, seeking to further neutralize Dortmund’s advantage from the first leg.

Despite Dortmund’s attempts to respond, Atalanta maintained control, adding a second goal just before halftime. Davide Zappacosta’s shot, also deflected by Bensebaini, found the back of the net in the 45th minute, leveling the tie on aggregate. The first half concluded with Atalanta holding a 2-0 lead on the night, shifting the momentum decisively.

The second half saw Atalanta extend their lead further. Mario Pasalic scored in the 57th minute, giving the hosts a 3-2 lead on aggregate. However, Dortmund refused to concede defeat. Karim Adeyemi scored a goal in the 75th minute, equalizing the aggregate score at 3-3 and pushing the match towards a potentially tense extra time.

The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time. A late challenge by Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaini on Atalanta’s Nikola Krstovic inside the penalty area resulted in a penalty being awarded to Atalanta after a VAR review. Bensebaini was also shown a second yellow card, leading to his dismissal. With virtually the last kick of the match, Lazar Samardzic calmly converted the penalty in the 98th minute, securing a 4-1 victory for Atalanta and their place in the last 16.

The victory represents a significant turnaround for Atalanta, who faced a challenging situation after the 2-0 defeat in the first leg. The team’s resilience and determination were evident throughout the match, culminating in a dramatic finish. Atalanta’s former Arsenal defender, Sead Kolasinac, described the final seconds as a “whirlwind of emotions,” highlighting the intensity of the encounter.

Atalanta will now face either Premier League leaders Arsenal or German champions Bayern Munich in the round of 16, with the draw scheduled for Friday. This qualification continues Atalanta’s positive trajectory under coach Raffaele Palladino, who took over in November, leading the team on an unbeaten run domestically in 2026.

The result also carries broader significance for Italian football. Following Inter Milan’s surprise elimination from the competition, Atalanta and Juventus (playing Galatasaray later on Wednesday, trailing 5-2 from the first leg) were the last remaining Serie A sides in the Champions League. This victory ensures that at least one Italian club will progress to the last 16, avoiding a scenario not seen since the 1987-88 season where no Serie A team reached that stage.

Despite pre-match expectations, Dortmund coach Niko Kovac had acknowledged the challenging nature of the tie, stating that his team’s chances of progressing were “50-50.” However, even with that acknowledgement, the manner of Dortmund’s defeat was unexpected, highlighting Atalanta’s ability to overcome adversity and capitalize on opportunities.