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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
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+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' 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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
Ciao!