Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Elche in the first leg of their last-32 Copa del Rey clash on Wednesday night.
Thomas Partey's 17th-minute header saw Atletico take the lead against the Segunda B club, but Elche levelled the scores early in the second period through a Lolo Pla penalty.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone made nine changes to the team that started against Celta Vigo in La Liga at the weekend, with Lucas Hernandez and Thomas the only two players to keep their spots. Keidi Bare made his first appearance of the season in a wide position, while Sergi Gonzalez started at left-back.
It was the visitors that had the first opportunity of the match in the third minute, but Fernando Torres could only turn a Sime Vrsaljko cross wide of the post from close range.
Sergi was next to come close as the full-back had an effort deflected wide of Elche's post in the eighth minute, but the home side were also causing problems through Sory Kaba's pace and movement in the final third of the field.
Atletico made the breakthrough in the 17th minute when Thomas rose highest inside the Elche box to head a looping Jose Gimenez cross into the back of the net.
Javier Flores tested Atletico goalkeeper Miguel Moya with a powerful strike in the 25th minute as Elche threatened to level, before the visitors passed up a brilliant chance to double their lead in the 36th minute - Vietto seeing his strike tipped onto the post by Guillermo Vallejo.
Atletico had another opportunity late in the first half through Torres, but the Spaniard saw his close-range header from a Nico Gaitan cross saved by Vallejo as Elche avoided conceding a second in the opening 45 minutes.
The home side were bright in the early stages of the second period, and forced a penalty in the 51st minute when Lolo Pla was brought to the ground by Lucas. It was Elche's number 10 that rose to his feet to take the spot kick, and he rolled the ball straight down the middle to level the scores at 1-1.
Vietto had a golden chance to score Atletico's second just past the hour after Torres sent the striker through on goal, but he lifted his effort just wide of the far post.
It was Elche that looked the team most likely to win it late on, but it finished 1-1 and the pair will do it all again in the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano towards the end of next month.
Matt Law
