Atletico Madrid advanced to the last 32 of the Copa del Rey, but only after surviving a scare against fourth-tier side Cacereno.
Diego Simeone's team trailed 1-0 in the 83rd minute at Estadio Principe Felipe, after Alvario Merencio's goal in the first half.
However, the LaLiga side leveled through Clement Lenglet, before striking twice in stoppage time through Julian Alvarez and an own goal from Adri Perez.
Julio Cobos' side were on a four-match winning streak in Group 5 of the Segunda Federacion and took the lead after half an hour, with Merencio finishing off a quick counter.
The hosts held out, but were finally broken through seven minutes before the end when Lenglet headed in after a cross from Rodrigo de Paul.
Cacereno was reduced to ten men two minutes later, with Jaime Sancho receiving a second yellow card and Atletico taking advantage of their numerical advantage in stoppage time.
De Paul's shot was deflected off Perez to complete the turnaround, while Alvarez later took the tie beyond the fourth level.
3 – @atletienglish has scored three goals from the 83rd minute for the second time in a match in any competition under Diego Pablo Simeone, the first being in Zaragoza in June 2013 in LaLiga. Come back.#ATM#CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/McOtcP5VMP
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 5, 2024
Data Debrief: Late, late show spares Atletico blushes
Atletico had won each of their last seven games in all competitions, but they suffered a huge shock on Thursday.
Nevertheless, Simeone's side eventually broke Cacereno's resistance and scored three goals from the 83rd minute onwards for only the second time in any competition – including against Real Zaragoza in June 2013.
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