Cristian Romero's late equaliser secured a potentially precious point for Atalanta in a hard-fought 1-1 home draw with Danish side Midtjylland in a Champions League Group D clash on Tuesday.
Defender Alexander Scholz had put the visitors ahead at the Gewiss Stadium early on and they were within 11 minutes of a first ever victory in Europe's elite club competition, but Romero's header provided some just reward for Atalanta following incessant pressure in the closing stages.
They move to eight points in the group and go to Amsterdam to face Ajax in the final round of matches next week needing only a draw to secure a place in the round of 16, with the Dutch club one point behind them and leaders Liverpool out of sight.
Midtjylland will finish bottom after defeats in their opening four matches of the group phase, but at least claimed a first Champions League point in their debut season after a spirited display in Bergamo.
The result continues Atalanta's unusual campaign that has seen them take two points from the nine available at home, but six from six on the road, including a famous 2-0 win at Anfield last week, which provides a good omen for their trip to Amsterdam.
Midtjylland took the lead in stunning style on 13 minutes when striker Sory Kaba chested the ball into the path of Scholz on the edge of the box and the centre back thrashed it into the top corner.
Home striker Duvan Zapata found himself in a number of promising positions, but his finishes either lacked power and direction, or were straight at Midtjylland goalkeeper Jesper Hansen in a frustrating night in front of goal.
The visitors went close to doubling their advantage in the second half when Kaba flicked the ball onto the crossbar following a corner, but Atalanta's persistence was finally rewarded as Hans Hateboer's cross was guided into the net by Romero, much to the relief of the hosts.
Meanwhile, Olympiakos were eliminated from the Champions League when they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Olympique de Marseille in Group C on Tuesday, with the two clubs left fighting for a Europa League spot.
The Greek side went ahead in the first half through Mady Camara, only for Dimitri Payet to score two penalties after the break to give OM their first win and their first goals in the competition this season.
OM, who ended an embarrassing 13-match losing streak in the Champions League, are bottom of the group on three points, behind Olympiakos by virtue of the head-to-head rule.
Olympiakos host Porto and Marseille travel to Manchester City in the final group games next Wednesday.
Manchester City, who had already qualified for the knockout phase before kickoff, lead the group on 13 points after a goalless stalemate at second-placed Porto, who also advanced on 10 points.
At the Stade Velodrome, the visitors went ahead in the 33rd minute, as Marios Vrousai cut the ball back to Camara who fired it into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Marseille levelled 10 minutes into the second half when Payet converted a penalty after Florian Thauvin was fouled in the area by Pape Abdou Cisse.
Rafinha then handled the ball and Payet converted a second spot kick with 15 minutes left to give OM the chance to have something to fight for in the final game next week.
Elsewhere, a first-half brace by Mergim Berisha helped earn RB Salzburg a 3-1 win at Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday as the Austrian champions kept their hopes of a last-16 spot alive.
Salzburg were rewarded for their early domination in the 28th minute when Enock Mwepu's deflected shot fell kindly to Berisha, who converted from close range, minutes after he had a goal ruled out for offside.
Jesse March's side doubled their lead 13 minutes later when Sekou Koita capitalised on a poor clearance from Slobodan Rajkovic and played in Berisha, who rifled a low shot past Lokomotiv keeper Guilherme for his fourth goal in five Champions League games this season.
Lokomotiv were handed a lifeline in the 79th minute when Ze Luis was fouled by Andre Ramalho in the penalty area, with Anton Miranchuk converting the resulting spot-kick to halve the deficit.
Yet substitute Karim Adeyemi restored Salzburg's two-goal lead two minutes later, profiting from another defensive error and firing into the bottom corner.
The result lifts Salzburg to third place on four points, one point and place behind Atletico Madrid, who face holders Bayern Munich later on Tuesday.
Salzburg host Atletico in their final group game next week and can qualify for the knockout stages with a win provided Diego Simeone's side do not beat Bayern.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com