Atletico Madrid beat Viktoria Plzen 1-0 in the Europa League, with Cristian Rodriguez scoring a 93rd minute winner.
The Uruguay international bagged his side the three points with a late strike, on what was a frustrating night for the home side.
Diego Simeone made almost wholesale changes from the team that beat Espanyol 1-0 at the weekend – the only players remaining from that win were Koke and Diego Costa, but the lack of consistency shown in the starting XI certainly didn't show on the pitch.
Atletico were instantly into the swing of things, and pressured the visitors' with some early set-piece chances. The Czech side soon forced their way into the game though, and had a few corners of their own for Los Colchoneros' backline to deal with.
Both teams were struggling to grasp overall control of the ball, and create clear-cut chances, but it was left to Adrian Lopez to have the best of them late into the half. The 24-year-old struck a rasping effort from outside the area that flew past Matus Kozacik in the Plzen goal, but could only hit the post.
The Spanish side really flew out of the blocks after the break, and were starting to have a monopoly on the ball. Emre and Gabi were dogged as ever at the base of the midfield, and the attacking trident in front of them were causing the Plzen defence some troubles.
Chances however, remained at a premium. In fact, the best of them late on went to Pavel Vrba's side – Michal Duris with a rare shot, seeing his 25 yard effort go over the bar.
The goal did finally come though, in the very last minute, as Emre laid his free kick off to Rodriguez, who smashed it into the net from just outside the area.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Viktoria Plzen
Scorers: Cristian Rodriguez 93 (AM)
Atletico Madrid: Asenjo; Oueslati (Saul Niguez 85), Pulido, Cata Diaz, Domingo Cisma; Gabi, Emre; Koke (Tiago 64), Cristian Rodriguez; Adrian Lopez, Diego Costa (Raul Garcia 61)
Viktoria Plzen: Kozacik; Reznik, Cisovsky, Sevinsky, Limbersky; Darida (Hejda 91), Prochazka; Rajtoral, Hanousek, Duris; Basko
Referee: Antony Gautier (FRA)
