Athletic Bilbao Claim their third Supercopa Title after an impressive win over Barcelona

Photo: AFP

On Sunday, Lionel Messi was sent off for the first time in his Barcelona career in the last minutes as they lost 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao. Both teams were competing for the title of Supercopa.

Messi had just returned to the starting lineup after he missed the victorious semifinal with Real Sociedad because of injury, was dismissed after tackling Asier Villalibre in the final minute.

The Argentine had been playing a crucial role in the squad as Barca took the lead five minutes before the first half came to an end.

After Messi's attempt to net the ball couldn't succeed was blocked, the ball fell to the feet of Antoine Griezmann, who scored the first of his two goals.

Bilbao's comeback was almost instantaneous as Oscar De Marcos met Inaki Williams' cross two minutes to equalize the scores just before half time.

Raul Garcia had scored a header which was disallowed for offside by VAR after the break as Bilbao enjoyed the better chances in an intense game.

However, Frenchman Griezmann played well for the Catalans with another goal against the Basques, only for substitute Villalibre to score a volley in the 90th minute to send the game into the additional time.

Three minutes into the additional half-hour Williams curled a beautiful effort into the far corner from the edge of the box to win the match for Marcelino Garcia's side.

The victory brought a third Supercopa title for the Athletic Bilbao side and their first trophy since they claimed the same trophy in 2015 with a 5-1 aggregate against Barca.

 

Publish : 2021-01-18 10:25:00

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