Keeper Provedel scores late equaliser for Lazio against Atletico Madrid

ROME: Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel secured a crucial point at home for his team in the closing moments of their Champions League Group E match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday (Sep 19) when he headed in the equaliser, giving them a 1-1 draw.

Five minutes into stoppage time, the goalkeeper, after venturing up the pitch for a last-ditch corner, headed home a cross from Luis Alberto with one of the final touches of the game.

Provedel became the first goalkeeper to score in a Champions League match since Nigeria's Vincent Enyeama achieved the feat for Hapoel Tel Aviv 13 years ago, and only the fourth overall.

The outcome of the first-ever Champions League clash between the Lazio and Atletico resulted in Feyenoord taking the top position in the group, thanks to their 2-0 victory over Celtic in a simultaneous match on Tuesday.

Midfielder Pablo Barrios had broken the deadlock for Atletico in the 29th minute with a first-time strike from long range that deflected off defender Daichi Kamada, completely wrong-footing Provedel.

Lazio controlled the first part of the match, during which Mattia Zaccagni challenged Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak with a powerful free kick over the wall. However, the Slovenian goalkeeper deflected it to a corner.

Atletico came close to doubling their lead after the break, with Alvaro Morata striking the post, while Provedel made several close saves to keep Lazio in the match.

Ciro Immobile attempted to get an equaliser for the Roman side in the early minutes of the second half but missed a golden opportunity when he found himself clear on goal and poked the ball directly at Oblak.

In stoppage time, Oblak came to Atletico's rescue when he tipped Danilo Cataldi's long-range rocket around the base of the post.