Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona, Live Score and Commentary, Copa del Rey 2016/17

That's it from us tonight! This is Sunaadh Sagar bidding you goodnight. If you have any feedback (merciless comments are also welcome), do hit me up on Twitter @sunaadh

Ciao!

FT: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Barcelona

And breathe...

An absolutely absorbing game at San Mames ends with 9 man Athletic Bilbao eking out a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey Ro16 tie.

Aritz Aduriz and Inaki Williams gave Bilbao a 2-0 lead inside 28 minutes with the home side absolutely dominating the first half. Barca were left a bit aggrieved as the referee failed to send off Aduriz for violent play and award Neymar a penalty.

Leo Messi wasted no time in bringing Barca back into the game with a stunning free kick in the 52nd minute. Bilbao's task was made harder with Raul Garcia and Iturraspe both picking up two yellows each, thus leaving the home side to see out the final ten minutes with 9 men. Messi hit the post in the final seconds of the game, but Bilbao take a well deserved lead to the Nou Camp, where a draw will be enough for them to go through to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.

90+4' OFF THE POST! Neymar swings in a ball into the box and the ball falls to Pique who is crowded out. The ball comes out to Messi, who hits the post with a right footed volley, and Alcacer screws the rebound wide as the final whistle blows!

90+3' Sergi Roberto's cross into the box is cleared for a corner. Can Barca do it?

90+2' Muniain does superbly to tackle and win the ball back for Bilbao. Barcelona eventually win it back and start to mount an attack in the final minute..

90+1' ALMOST! Pique pings a low diagonal to Gomes in the box, and his cross-shot almost falls to Neymar at the far post.

90' 3 minutes of added time.

90' WHAT A CHANCE! Messi sends Alba clear on the left and he responds with a low cross to Alcacer, but Etxeita clears for a corner. The home side manage to deal with the pressure from the set piece, but still have to fall back after losing the ball.

89' Etxeita tries to wriggle his way though instead of passing the ball forward, and Barca win the ball back, but Bilbao steam back to defend and get all men behind the ball.

88' Paco Alcacer comes on to replace Samuel Umtiti, as Barca go all guns blazing.

87' Barcelona's every touch is being booed at the San Mames. They turn into cheers as Messi's though ball finds Suarez, but he is pulled back for offside.

86' Barcelona have laid siege to Bilbao's defence, but the 9 men are hacking the ball clear at every opportunity. This is surely going to fall apart for Bilbao, isn't it?

85' WHAT A CHANCE! Messi plays a bouncing ball forward to Suarez, who opts to attempt a first time chip with Iraizoz off his line, but the keeper gets back to collect the ball with an outstretched arm.

84' Luis Enrique gesticulates furiously as he shouts for his team to charge forward.

83' Gorka Elustondo comes on to replace Inaki Williams. All hands on deck as Bilbao have no forwards left on the pitch.

80' Another harsh call from the referee! Iturraspe barely makes contact as Neymar counters, but he takes a swan dive and Iturraspe earns a second yellow to reduce Bilbao to nine men!

80' RED CARD ANDER ITURRASPE (SECOND YELLOW)

79' WHAT A CHANCE! Alba is sent clear on the left edge of the box and pulls the ball back to Messi in the box. He turns away from his marker, sidesteps another challenge and just as he is about to score a certain goal, Etxeita lunges in to deny him - Suarez attempts to slam the rebound away but his shot is blocked too!

78' Javier Eraso comes on to replace Aritz Aduriz - a clear change from Valverde that indicates that Bilbao will close ranks.

76' Bilbao will be sure to shut up shop now - the home side have 9 men behind the ball.

74' That looked very harsh! Raul Garcia challenges Neymar, but the replays show that the position of his feet meant he pulled out of it. Neymar jumps up in the air like a mortally wounded seal and the referee brandishes a second yellow for Raul Garcia and reduce Bilbao to ten men. Game On!

74' RED CARD RAUL GARCIA (SECOND YELLOW)

73' Luis Enrique is livid on the touchline as Mikel San Jose concedes a free-kick with another poor foul that leaves Busquets on the floor.

71' Ivan Rakitic is replaced by Andre Gomes.

70' WHAT A COUNTER!! Iturraspe's free-kick is cleared and Neymar sets off on the counter, twisting past two defenders before spreading it to the right. Roberto attempts a first time through ball to Suarez in the box, but Bilbao intercept and hack the ball clear.

69' Bilbao have a free kick as Pique fouls Aduriz while contesting a long ball forward. Can the home side manage to retake a two goal lead?

69' Iker Muniain comes on to replace Saborit.

68' OH WHAT A CHANCE! Mikel San Jose plays the ball to Aduriz in space in the box, but the striker takes a touch and cannot get his shot off, with Pique and Sergi Roberto crowding him out.

64' WHAT A SAVE! The boos are ringing out in San Mames as Barcelona ignore Aduriz on the floor to counter attack with the Neymar. After the initial move ends with Messi's shot being blocked, Barce recycle the ball and work it to Neymar on the edge of the box, who unleashes a dipping shot aimed at the top corner, only for Iraizoz to stretch and make a superb save.

63' WHAT A CHANCE! Iturraspe causes chaos with another ball forward and the ball falls to Aduriz in space on the edge of the box. Instead of powering a shot at goal, he opts to chip blind, with Ter Stegen collecting with ease.

62' OUCH! Mikel San Jose clatters into Sergi Roberto from behind and the referee blows for a foul. No yellow card this time.

61' CHANCE! Messi turns his marker and plays a through ball to Suarez in the box, but the delivery has a bit too much on it and Iraizoz comes out to claim the ball before Suarez can get to it.

60' PLAY TO THE FLAG! Iturraspe chips another through ball forward, but Aduriz pulls up thinking he is offside, but the flag never went up!

58' Barcelona have managed to keep the ball quite well after getting their goal, with Bilbao not pressing as well.

56' Neymar swings in a free kick from the left wing, but Iraizoz comes out to collect the ball with ease. Next time, just let Leo take it....

55' Bilbao's heads have visibly dropped as their legs tire already - Raul Garcia goes into the book for holding back Iniesta after being beaten in midfield.

52' WHO ELSE BUT LEO MESSI?! The Argentine swings in a stunning free kick into the top corner, with Iraizoz managing to get his fingertips to it and tipping it onto the bar. The ball bounces down and narrowly crosses the line, although the Bilbao keeper protests. Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Barcelona

52' GOAL LIONEL MESSI!

51' Neymar is clipped from behind and Barcelona have a free kick in a promising position from the left wing.

50' Bilbao's performance has really been the textbook way to play Luis Enrique's Barcelona - I'm sure Zinedine Zidane is taking notes - However, it will be a real question if Valverde's side can keep up the energy of this high pressing for the full 90 minutes.

49' WHY DIDN'T HE SHOOT?! Neymar plays a low cross in from the left, and Suarez produces a brilliant dummy to allow it to fall to Messi in space, but he takes an extra touch and tries to dribble his way past Laporte, but is crowded out.

47' The second half begins much like the first - with some physical play already on view. Bilbao clearly have no mercy left for Umtiti, as the Frenchman is tripped in his own half with a rather 'agricultural' challenge.

46' PEEP PEEP PEEP! Barcelona get us underway in the second half, kicking off from left to right.

The second half is moments away as the players make their way onto the pitch.

Gif: Aduriz hitting Umtiti in throat #fcblive pic.twitter.com/eWlYbeYz92
— Barcastuff Media (@barcastuffmedia) January 5, 2017

Gif: Challenge on Neymar in box #fcblive [via @VidaBlaugrana_] pic.twitter.com/tvRPX9UPXM
— Barcastuff Media (@barcastuffmedia) January 5, 2017

HT: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Barcelona

What a brilliant first half of football, as Barcelona are stunned courtesy goals from Aduriz and Inaki Williams. The Catalans have a right to be aggrieved with the referee, who missed violent play deserving of a red card from Aduriz, while also not giving a stone-wall penalty in favour of Neymar!

Let's catch a breath and hope the second half is as action packed. Stay tuned!

45+2' And now its Busquets turn! The midfielder also goes into the book for dissent - the Barcelona players need to keep their heads here.

45+1' WAS THAT A PENALTY?! Neymar dances past Etxeita who sticks out a leg and kicks the Brazilian - A CLEAR PENALTY - but the referee waves away appeals and books Neymar for diving! Jordi Alba also goes into the book for dissent!

45' 3 minutes of injury time!

Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona, Live Score and Commentary, Copa del Rey 2016/17

FT: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Barcelona (Aduriz 25', Inaki Williams 28' - Messi 52')