Julián Álvarez struck in stoppage time as Atlético Madrid snatched a 1-0 win at bottom club Real Oviedo to move back third in LaLiga.

After Villarreal had been thumped 4-1 at leaders Barcelona earlier on Saturday, it looked to be a frustrating evening for Diego Simeone's side, who needed some fine saves from Jan Oblak to prevent them falling behind in the first half.

Eventually, though, substitute Álvarez broke the home side's determined resistance in the fourth minute of added time.

Atlético goalkeeper Oblak had been busy in the first half, making a fine reaction save from Federico Vinas' low strike in the 23rd minute.

Oviedo did not look like a side struggling for form at the wrong end of the table as they continued to test Oblak as half time approached.

First, the Slovenian somehow clawed away a point-blank header from Ilyas Chaira and then palmed out a low shot from Alberto Reina.

Atlético boss Simeone aimed to freshen up his lacklustre attack in the second half, sending on Álvarez for Ademola Lookman.

However, it took a triple substitution just after the hour to finally spark the visitors into life, with Koke, Giuliano Simeone and Antoine Griezmann -- who has been linked with a move to Orlando City -- all sent on.

Atlético thought they had made the breakthrough in the 86th minute when Álex Baena slotted in after being played in by Griezmann, but was just offside.

Then in the fourth minute of added time, Julio Díaz kept the ball in on the left wing and it was eventually fed back across to Nahuel Molina, who sent a low cross in from the right.

The ball dropped to Álvarez in a crowded penalty area, and he cut back inside to drill a low shot past Aarón Escandell, sparking wild celebrations -- including from boss Simeone on the touchline.