By David Awopetu
Lionel Messi was shown a straight red card on Sunday night as Barcelona lost 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Remarkably, this was the legendary Argentine forward’s first red card of his entire club career.
Messi was sent off in the final moments of stoppage time for an off-the-ball incident involving Asier Villalibre.
Athletic had the better of a quiet first half and had the first clear chance when Marc-Andre ter Stegen was forced to tip over a shot from Capa from just inside the penalty area.
Lionel Messi fired an effort over the crossbar at the other end before the first half finally sparked into life as half-time approached.
Griezmann opened the scoring for Barca in the 40th minute after Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi had opened up Athletic. The ball broke kindly to the Frenchman to stroke home from close range and beat Unai Simon.
Barca’s lead lasted less than two minutes as Athletic hit straight back through Oscar De Marcos who nipped in between Alba and Clement Lenglet and clipped the ball over Ter Stegen.
Barca suffered a scare in the second half when Raul Garcia looked to have headed Athletic in front from a free-kick in from the left. Fortunately for Barca, the goal was chalked off for a tight offside after a VAR check.
Barca had few sights of goal but did go ahead for the second time on 77 minutes. A great move down the left saw Alba cross for Griezmann to sweep home his second of the night.
The goal looked to be enough for victory but Athletic hit back in the 89th minute when Iker Muniain drifted a free-kick into the box for an unmarked Asier Villalibre to head home and force extra-time.
Marcelino’s side then took the lead for the first time in the match three minutes later. Inaki Williams was given time and space to curl a brilliant strike into the top corner from 25 yards out.
Barca couldn’t find another goal and their misery was compounded late on when Messi saw red after lashing out at Villalibre in the final minutes of the game.
The result means Athletic Bilbao have now won their fourth Super Cup, and their first since the 2015 victory over the same opponents, Barcelona.
