Alaves snatch sensational equaliser in late drama against Atletico Madrid

Newly promoted Alaves sensationally salvaged a 1-1 draw on opening weekend of the Liga season, scoring a stoppage time equaliser just seconds after Atletico Madrid had taken the lead.

Diego Simeone’s side thought they had secured all three points when Kevin Gameiro converted a dubious penalty kick to give the hosts the lead they had sought and pressure for all night. But they were stung with essentially the last kick of the match.

Alaves defended doggedly for the majority of the match, but looked to have finally succumbed to a heartbreaking defeat. However, with their only shot of the contest they claimed a point, as Manu Garcia found the net with a stunning strike from 25 yards.

Atletico will now reflect on a missed opportunity to start their league season with a win following victories for both Barcelona and Real Madrid on opening weekend. Simeone will demand better from his team going forward.

Do Atletico Madrid have a problem finding strikers? Kevin Gameiro found the net on his league debut for his new club, but the French striker was underwhelming for the majority of the match, passing up a number of chances to find the net from open play. So after the flop of Mario Mandzukic, Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto, is the problem Atletico Madrid’s and not the players’?

Fernando Pacheco: Alaves were well-drilled and well-organised for their trip to the Spanish capital, but for all their defensive solidity they needed their goalkeeper to be in top form to keep Atletico Madrid’s at arm’s length. Fernando Pacheco made a number of outstanding stops to keep the score goalless until stoppage time. He deserved to claim a point, at the very least.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak 5, Juanfran 6, Savic 5, Godin 6, Luis 7, Koke 6, Gabi 5, Saul 6, Tiago 6, Carrasco 7, Gameiro 6. Subs: Gaitan 5, Correa 5, Torres 7.

Alaves: Pacheco 8, Kiko 6, Alexis 7, Feddal 4, Garcia 7, Manu 7, Torres 6, Gomez 5, Krsticic 5, Edgar 5, Toquero 5. Subs: Laguardia 6, Camarasa 4, Santos 5.

21’ GODIN LOOPS A HEADER TOWARDS GOAL! The Atletico Madrid centre backs gets up to attack a cross into the box, but his header loops wide of the far post and Alaves survive.

22’ TIAGO HEADER OVER! This time it's the midfielder who rises highest at the near post to meet a corner kick delivery into the box, but he flicks his header over the crossbar.

24’ GABI FLASHES A VOLLEY WIDE! The midfielder runs on to a clearance on the edge of the box, meeting it on the full volley, but his effort flashes past the near post. Good strike!

26’ SO CLOSE TO AN OPENER! Alaves give up the ball about 35 yards out from goal, allowing Gameiro to drive forward. But the Frenchman shoots just wide from the edge of the box.

28’ TIAGO TAKES ON THE SHOT! Carrasco takes the initial shot from inside the box, with the keeper making the save. Then Tiago sends a looping strike towards goal, but once again it's saved.

36’ BEST CHANCE OF THE MATCH! Saul rides a couple of challenges as he surged through on goal, but his effort on goal was ultimately weak and Pacheco can make the save.

39’ GAMEIRO SHOULD HAVE SCORED! How did he miss that one? Koke played the perfect pass into Gameiro, but from a matter of yards out he shoots over the crossbar. Wooft!

42’ WAS THAT A PENALTY? Tiago goes down inside the area under the challenge of Torres from a corner kick, but the referee waves away the midfielder's claims for a spot kick.

48’ INCHES PAST THE POST! Luis comes surging down the left wing and cuts inside on to his right foot, but the effort flashes past the target with the Alaves keeper beaten. That was close.

53’ CLOSE TO THE OPENER! Carrasco takes the ball from a short corner and shoots from the edge of the box, but Saul couldn't direct his improvised header on target. That was a chance.

57’ PACHECO MAKES THE SAVE FROM GODIN! Atletico Madrid swing a corner kick to the back post for Godin to attack, but the Alaves keeper does well to make the stop to deny him.

66’ SAUL TAKES AIM! The shots are raining in now. This time it's Saul who takes aim from the edge of the box, but an Alaves defender comes across to make the solid block.

74’ OFF THE NEAR POST! Torres has made a difference since coming on, driving at the Alaves backline. But he couldn't quite get the angle on his shot and it comes back off the woodwork.

86’ HOW DID THAT NOT GO IN? Gameiro looked certain to find the back of the net, but Pacheco pulled off two stunning saves to keep his team on level pegging. That was astonishing!

90’ PENALTY KICK TO ATLETICO MADRID! What a sensational decision in the dying moments of this game. Laguardia brought down Torres, but was it inside the box?

92’ GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Alaves: Atletico Madrid have snatched all three points right at the death! Gameiro steps up to the 12 yard mark and strokes home an exceptional penalty kick.

94’ GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-1 Alaves: Can you believe it? That's basically the first time Alaves have attacked all night and Manu has found an equaliser with a stunning strike from about 25 yards out.

Kevin Gameiro’s goal was the first time that he has scored in any of his debuts for a new club.

Alaves scored with their only shot on goal in the whole match.