Barcelona 2-3 Athletic: Athletic come from behind to stun Barcelona, Messi sees red

Lionel Messi-Barcelona

Athletic Bilbao have edged out Barca in a thrilling Spanish Super Cup final.

Athletic Bilbao have thrown a dagger in Barcelona’s heart after defeating them 3-2 in extra time to lift the Spanish Supercopa title.

Barca headed in the right direction after taking the lead in the 40th minute, with Antoine Griezmann being the scorer.

The Frenchman’s goal didn’t last long as De Marcos equalised for Athletic right before the half time.

Griezmann nearly put the game to bed by doubling the lead in the 77th minute. Again, Athletic responded with an equaliser in the 90th minute, this time the scorer was the substitute Villalibre.

The Basque club gained a foothold as soon as the extra time commenced, with Inaki Williams scoring a blinder from the edge of the box. Barca, who pushed for the equaliser, ended up being a man down at the brink of the final whistle after Lionel Messi was sent off for his first time in his Barca career due to violent conduct.

The event alone summarises the day for the Catalans as they failed to capitalise on Griezmann’s brace.

Ronald Koeman would be under more scrutiny for slipping up the lead despite being at the advantageous position.

Barca looked more confident ahead of the game as they set their sets on lifting the title, which could have been their first one in more than a year. But everything would be a lucid dream for the Catalans now.

Meanwhile, Athletic Club lifted the Spanish Supercopa for the third time in their history. Interestingly, the last time they won a trophy was against Barca in 2015 and the same competition.