Athletic Bilbao earned a magical victory over
Barcelona.Aritz Aduriz and Inaki Williams scored goals for their team but
Lionel Messi helped Barcelona force their way back into the game.Barcelona fell 2-1 at Athletic Bilbao in the
Copa del Rey. Bilbao took a 2-0 lead after just 28 minutes of
stunning football match which was played at
San Mames Stadium.Borbalan did come to
Barca's aid just after the break though,when he adjudged Messi's free-kick to have crossed the line despite Gorka Iraizoz's best efforts in the Athletic goal.Bilbao goalkeeper Iraizoz would have been slightly disappointed after getting a full hand to the effort, but he could only tip the ball onto the underside of the bar before it rolled over his line.Aduriz heading in from two yards at the far-post from Raul Garcia's clipped cross and after just three minutes Inaki Williams scored another goal for his team
Athletic Bilbao.Aduriz escaped unpunished for an elbow on Samuel Umtiti.Barca were even more incensed in first-half stoppage time when David Fernandez Borbalan failed to point to the spot when Neymar appeared to be chopped down by Borja Etxeita.Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were all booked for taking their protests too far, while Messi also had to be restrained from confronting Borbalan as the players left the field for half-time.Garcia and Iturraspe had few complaints after seeing second yellow cards for late challenges on Neymar.More Messi magic nearly prevented Barca starting the year with defeat as he danced past two defenders before a desperate saving challenge from Mikel San Jose prevented the Argentine getting a shot off.Bilbao managed to hold onto the precious 2-1 win, taking the advantage into the second-leg at the Camp Nou, while
Barcelona will be scratching their heads as to how they couldn't break down their nine-man opponents at the end. -
