(Reuters) -Atletico Madrid let their first-minute lead slip as they were held to a 1-1 LaLiga draw at Real Sociedad on Sunday after midfielder Luka Sucic cancelled out visitors’ opener by striker Julian Alvarez.
Atletico’s Alvarez found the net with just 51 seconds gone before Sucic equalised with a stunning first-time shot from a distance that sailed inside a top corner in the 84th minute.
Atletico, who were demolished 4-0 by Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday, moved one place up to third on 17 points, level with fourth-placed Villarreal.
Diego Simeone’s side are now four points behind champions Real Madrid, in second, and seven off leaders Barcelona.
The visitors started on the front foot when Alvarez struck low inside the far post after Antoine Griezmann teed him up from inside the box with a back-heel.
The Argentine’s goal, his third for Atletico, was club’s fifth fastest goal in LaLiga in the 21st century.
Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak made two sensational saves shortly after to prevent an equaliser, denying Martin Zubimendi’s header and a follow-up strike by Nayef Aguerd.
Sociedad tested the seasoned goalkeeper more times in the first half but Oblak made no mistakes as he saved attempts by defender Jon Aramburu and Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal.
He then kept out a fine strike by Takefusa Kubo, who struck from the edge of the box just before the break.
Sociedad, however, continued to seek their chances as they dominated the possession after the restart and Sucic found the well-deserved leveller six minutes from full-time.
Atletico substitute Rodrigo De Paul’s misplaced pass saw the visitors lose the ball near their own box and Oyarzabal found Sucic, who made no mistake slotting home.
Atletico’s goal remained their only attempt on target on the night.
Sociedad, who finished sixth last season to qualify for the Europa League, are 15th with nine points.
They have won only one of their last nine games in all competitions.
Atletico next host lowly Leganes after the international break while Sociedad travel to 11th-placed Girona.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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