Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone was a jubilant member of his side's celebrating squad after Julian Alvarez netted a late winner to help boost their chances of automatic Champions League qualification. 

The hosts on Tuesday evening were deadlocked at 1-1 with visitors Bayer Leverkusen, after levelling in the 53rd minute via Alvarez's opener. 

But with the prospect of a round of play-off matches for teams who do not finish in the top eight of the league phase, Simeone's side were intent on chasing the winner late on in the tie at the Metropolitano. 

In the 89th minute, Leverkusen's defences were eventually overturned, with Alvarez again the hero of the hour as he picked up a sneaked pass into the box from team-mate Angel Correa. 

Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar slid to the turf to make the save, but with the ball glued to his feet, Alvarez angled a tightly struck shot past the prone 'keeper to help the hosts secure the win on home soil. 

But as Alvarez celebrated by the corner flag with his sprinting team-mates and those substitutes on the sidelines warming up, the throng were joined by an unexpected member of the side. 

Simeone was in the midst of a pile-on on top of Alvarez, and only became visible as he detangled himself from his players and jogged back to the dugout. 

With moments left to play, Alvarez was substituted off but even without their opponents' danger man on the pitch, Leverkusen were unable to find the latest of equalisers. 

Alvarez's home brace were his 15th and 16th goals for the club since his summer move from English champions Manchester City, and the Argentine star has scored an impressive six in the Champions League alone. 

The 24-year-old also has 18 goal involvements across his 13 Champions League starts across his time at both of the European giants.  

The win at home lifts Atletico to third in the league phase standings with just one game left to play in the competition - three points behind LaLiga rivals Barcelona, and six off runaway leaders Liverpool. 

Leverkusen sit sixth, just inside the automatic qualification places, with 13 points.