Atletico Madrid's hopes of qualifying from their Champions League group will go down to the final matchday after Thomas Muller scored an 86th-minute penalty to earn a weakened Bayern Munich a 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Bayern had won their previous 15 games in UEFA's flagship competition but were already assured of top spot in Group A and left the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer out of their travelling squad.
With Lokomotiv Moscow losing 3-1 at home to Salzburg earlier on Tuesday, victory for Atleti would make certain of second place with a game to spare, an aim they were on course to achieve thanks to Joao Felix's eighth goal in 14 appearances this season.
The Portugal international converted from a Marcos Llorente cutback after 26 minutes, but Felipe - brought on for the injured Jose Gimenez - felled Muller in the box and his fellow substitute converted from 12 yards.
Atleti must now avoid defeat away at Salzburg next week to join Bayern, unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions after Muller's late goal, in the last 16.
90'+ | #AtletiFCB 1-1
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) December 1, 2020
FT at the Wanda @Metropolitano as the game ultimately ends in a draw.
#AúpaAtleti | #UCL pic.twitter.com/oMMK16kSXw
Angel Correa tested Alexander Nubel, making his first appearance in the competition for Bayern, and Yannick Carrasco fired wide in a bright start to the match for Atletico.
The hosts made the breakthrough soon after as Llorente played a one-two on the right, carried the ball to the byline and picked out Joao Felix to finish from six yards.
Jamal Musiala fired just wide following a mazy run but Atleti still looked the more threatening, with Joao Felix denied by Nubel and Llorente blazing over from a good position.
Jan Oblak was called into action for the first time to routinely save from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's long-range effort just short of the hour mark as Atleti, boasting five clean sheets in six prior home games, held firm at the back.
But Bayern's pressure eventually told after Hansi Flick introduced Kingsley Coman and Muller, the latter being brought down in the box by Felipe's outstretched leg for a late penalty that he guided past the despairing dive of Oblak.
What does it mean? Group A goes down to the wire
Matchday six will be devoid of any real entertainment in many groups, but that is not the case in Group A as Atletico and Salzburg face off at Red Bull Arena next week in a shoot-out for second place.
Diego Simeone's men were helped by Flick's call to make nine changes from Bayern's previous match, with first place already secured and a top-of-the-table showdown with RB Leipzig to come in the Bundesliga next weekend.
But LaLiga's only unbeaten side this season did not register a single shot on target in a second half that saw them fail to preserve their lead after Bayern turned to big-name reinforcements.
Joao Felix leads from the front
The forward showed great awareness to get on the end of Llorente's cutback as he made it seven goals in his past seven starts for Atletico in all competitions - as many as he managed in his previous 29.
Joao Felix has more than stepped up in Luis Suarez's absence - the Uruguay international missing a fourth game running today through coronavirus - and managed more shots (three) and shots on target (two) than anyone else on the pitch and playing a joint-high two key passes.
Bright barely involved on Bayern bow
David Alaba retained his place in the side and captained Bayern on his 400th appearance for the club, showing yet again why he is so highly valued as he shifted across into the centre of a back three.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Bright Arrey-Mbi, who was making his first outing at senior level. The 17-year-old defender had just 27 touches of the ball during his 61 minutes on the pitch - only Choupo-Moting (21) had fewer among outfield players up to that point.
Key Opta Facts
- Atletico have lost just one of their past 25 Champions League home games (W18 D6), a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in September 2017. They have never lost a home Champions League game against the reigning champions (P5 W3 D2).
- Although their winning run came to an end, Bayern are unbeaten in each of their past 16 Champions League matches (W15 D1) since a 3-1 loss to Liverpool in March 2019.
- Bayern have failed to keep a clean sheet in four consecutive Champions League games for the first time since April 2017.
- The Bundesliga giants failed to land a shot on target in the first half of a Champions League group game for the first time since October 2009 versus Bordeaux.
- Muller scored his 47th Champions League goal, 21 more than any other German player in the competition's history.
What's next?
Atletico will be looking to make it seven LaLiga wins in a row when they host Real Valladolid on Saturday, the same day Bayern face Bundesliga title challengers Leipzig.