[NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Newcastle United FC and Qarabag FK at St James' Park on February 24, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Newcastle United FC and Qarabag FK at St James' Park on February 24, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)](https://football-italia.net/champions-league-tonali-scores-ruggeri-assist/) Sandro Tonali was on the scoresheet today as the Italian midfielder helped Newcastle qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, as the first batch of play-off matches played out their second legs.
Matteo Ruggeri picked up an assist for Atletico Madrid, helping Los Colchoneros beat Club Brugge 4-1 to qualify for the Champions League round of 16.
“We’ll take ANYONE on” 🗣️
Newcastle aren’t afraid of any team in the Champions League 💪 pic.twitter.com/doMmBjGz3t
— Prime Video Sport UK (@primevideosport) February 24, 2026
Tonali scored within five minutes against Qarabag, as Newcastle breezed to a comfortable 9-3 win on aggregate.
Ruggeri, meanwhile, helped Atletico to a 7-4 aggregate victory.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 17: Matteo Ruggeri of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball whilst under pressure from Omar El Hilali of RCD Espanyol during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at RCDE Stadium on August 17, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 17: Matteo Ruggeri of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball whilst under pressure from Omar El Hilali of RCD Espanyol during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at RCDE Stadium on August 17, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
Pirola out as Tonali & Ruggeri progress in Champions League
24-year-old defender Lorenzo Pirola was also in action, playing ninety minutes as Olympiacos drew 0-0 away at Bayer Leverkusen.
The draw, however, was not enough for Pirola and his Greek side to progress, having lost 2-0 at home in the first leg.
The rest of the Italians in action today were of course playing as Inter crashed out of the Champions League for the earliest time since the group-stage exit in 2020/21.
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 24: Referee Alejandro Hernandez and Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano interact after a penalty appeal for hand ball for FC Internazionale Milano during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Referee Alejandro Hernandez and Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano interact after a penalty appeal for hand ball for FC Internazionale Milano during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Nerazzurri lost 2-1 to Bodo/Glimt at San Siro, losing 5-2 on aggregate. Bastoni, Dimarco, Barella, Frattesi and Pio Esposito were the Azzurri contingent who featured.
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