Cacereno 1-3 Atletico Madrid: Simeone´s side survive scare after late fightback

Atletico Madrid progressed to the Copa del Rey last 32, but only after surviving a scare against fourth-tier Cacereno.

Diego Simeone’s side trailed 1-0 in the 83rd minute at Estadio Principe Felipe, after Alvario Merencio’s first-half strike.

However, the LaLiga side levelled through Clement Lenglet, before striking twice in stoppage time through Julian Alvarez and an Adri Perez own-goal.

Julio Cobos’ side were on a four-match winning streak in Group 5 of the Segunda Federacion, and took the lead on the half-hour mark, with Merencio rounding off a quick counter.

The hosts held firm but were finally breached seven minutes from time, when Lenglet headed in from Rodrigo de Paul’s cross.

Cacereno were reduced to 10 men two minutes later with Jaime Sancho shown a second yellow card, and Atletico capitalised on their numerical advantage in stoppage time.

De Paul’s shot deflected in off Perez to complete the turnaround, while Alvarez put the tie beyond the fourth-tier outfit later on.

3 – @atletienglish have scored three goals from the 83rd minute onwards in a game in any competition under Diego Pablo Simeone for the second time, the first being in Zaragoza in June 2013 in LaLiga. Comeback.#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 matches across all competitions, but they were given an almighty scare on Thursday.

Nevertheless, Simeone’s side eventually broke Cacereno’s resistance, scoring three goals from the 83rd minute onwards in any competition for only the second time – also doing so against Real Zaragoza in June 2013.