Atletico Madrid were held to a surprise 0-0 draw by a spirited Astana side in Tuesday s Champions League clash at the Astana Arena.
Diego Simeone s side held top spot heading into Group C s early kick-off and could have pulled three points ahead of Benfica with victory in Kazakhstan.
Koke struck the woodwork once in each half but Atletico toiled too often in possession against a well-disciplined home side.
Fernando Torres chasing his 100th Atleti goal also spurned a good chance and Antoine Griezmann came close in the second half, but Astana held on for a famous point which keeps alive their hopes of at least battling for a Europa League spot by finishing third.
Astana, in their maiden Champions League campaign, now have two points from their four matches following a 2-2 home draw with Galatasary on matchday two.
Tiago came close early on for Atletico with a blocked effort inside the area but Astana, roared on by a vociferous home crowd, denied them any real rhythm in the opening 25 minutes.
Junior Kabananga s scuffed volley from 20 yards forced Jan Oblak into a save but chances were few and far between in the opening half-hour, until Torres stole in behind Evgeny Postnikov following Juanfran s long ball and prodded wide across goal.
Koke looped an effort onto the crossbar with a free-kick just before half-time but Atletico otherwise struggled to find a way past a stubborn home side.
Diego Godin glanced a header straight into Nenad Eric s hands and Tiago dragged a shot wide from 20 yards as Atletico began to turn up the pressure after the interval.
Simeone threw on Jackson Martinez in an effort to break through a robust defensive line but Atletico s build-up play on the synthetic turf was too often laboured or undone by wayward passes.
Griezmann, who had been quiet throughout, fizzed a low shot just wide of the far post after a neat one-two with Koke, before the Spain midfielder almost got lucky with a looped cross from the left that bounced off the top of the bar.
Eric saved down low from Jose Gimenez s header as Atleti began to push further forward as Astana legs grew tired, and the 2013-14 finalists almost snatched the victory with the last kick of the game, as Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco collected Griezmann s cross and shot across goal, only for the goalkeeper to claim well low to his left.
Ultimately, however, Astana held on for a famous point and restored some pride following their 4-0 defeat in Madrid on matchday three.
