Lionel Messi saw red as Athletic Bilbao came from behind to beat Barcelona and lift the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona were left stunned by Athletic Bilbao as they missed out on a chance to claim their first title under Ronald Koeman.
The first 45 minutes was perhaps the most boring Blaugrana performance under the Dutchman.
It looked like nobody wanted it. In the first 20 minutes, no team had tested the opposition’s goalkeeper.
Antoine Griezmann delivered Barca in the final minutes of the first half. Messi found Ousmane Dembele in acres of space who gave it back to his captain. Messi then passed the ball to Jordi Alba who crossed the ball towards the penalty spot and Griezmann scored from close range.
Bilbao got their leveler immediately. Right from kick-off, Inaki Williams’ perfect cross found Oscar de Marcos behind Alba’s back, and the Spaniard took Ter Stegen by surprise.
The second half took a similar turn to the first and Griezmann once again popped up with what looked like the winner in the 77th minute.
A resilient Bilbao side continued to push for their equalizer and got their reward in the 90th minute through Villaibre.
Three minutes into stoppage time, Bilbao completed a stunning comeback and it was a relentless Inaki Williams who scored the best goal of the night.
On the edge of the area, the Basque striker sent the ball right into the top corner and put his side in front. Messi then ended the game by hitting Villalibre, which got him a red card.
Things turned from bad to worse as the humiliating defeat against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final was topped when Lionel Messi slapped Asier Villalibre in the 120th minute of the game.
Consequently, VAR checked Messi’s actions, and he was sent off for the same – picking up his first-ever red card in his club career, on his 753rd appearance in all completions for Barcelona.
Bilbao can call themselves ‘giant-slayers’ having defeated Real Madrid and Barcelona on their way to the Super Cup title.
Player ratings
Barcelona: Ter Stegen (6), Alba (6), Lenglet (6), Araujo (6), Dest (7), Pedri (6), Busquets (6), De Jong (7), Griezmann (8), Messi (6), Dembele (7)
Athletic Bilbao: Simon (6), Capa (7), Alvarez (6), Martinez (6), Balenziaga (6), De Marcos (6), Garcia (7), Vencedor (6), Muniain (7), Garcia (7), Williams (8)
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