Julian Alvarez struck a 90th-minute winner for Atletico Madrid to snatch them a 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo on Thursday in La Liga.
Even a single point would have flattered Diego Simeone's side but they took all three when the Argentina international, on as a substitute, finished Antoine Griezmann's cross at the back post.
Celta had the better chances as Atletico, third, lacked spark ahead of the derby clash against Spanish champions Real Madrid on Sunday. "We didn't play well in attack in the first half," Simeone told DAZN. "The subs gave us a bit more creativity to be able to win the game." Simeone started his son Giuliano for the first time after some substitute appearances in recent weeks and left star summer signing Alvarez on the bench.
Atletico failed to take a single shot in a low quality first half, while Celta threatened seriously only just before the interval, when Jan Oblak saved brilliantly from Iago Aspas' drive.