LIONEL MESSI saw red for the first time in a Barcelona shirt as his side lost 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Barca had taken the lead twice through Antoine Griezmann but Bilbao fought back in the thriller in Seville.
Follow ALL of the latest reaction below…
KOEMAN ON MESSI
Messi was sent off for the very first time in his Barcelona career on Sunday evening.
Barca lost 3-2 to Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final.
“I can understand what Messi did,” Koeman said after the match.
“I don’t know how many times they fouled him, and it’s normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again properly.”
THANKS FOR JOINING US
That’s all from us tonight as Inaki Williams extra time strike saw Athletic Bilbao run out 3-2 winners over Barcelona, securing their fourth ever Spanish Super Cup.
Antoine Griezmann put Barca ahead five minutes before half time, but Bilbao hit back just two minutes later, equalising through Oscar de Marcos.
Bilbao then had the ball in the back of the net after half time, but the goal was ruled out by VAR with Raul Garcia adjudged to be in an offside position from Iker Munain’s free kick.
Antoine Griezmann thought he’d won it for Barca thirteen minutes from time, only for Asier Villalibre to equalise in the 90th minute, sending the game to extra time.
Early into the extra period Inaki Williams scored what proved to be the game winner with a belter of a goal from the edge of the box.
Barcelona pushed for an equaliser but in truth never came close, with Lionel Messi’s sending off seconds before the end of the game rounding off a miserable day for Ronald Koeman’s side.
Incredibly it was Lionel Messi’s first sending off in 753 games for Barca.
It could be a significant event in terms his future at the club with his days at Barcelona seemingly numbered.
That’s all for now though.
Thanks for joining us tonight, it’s been a pleasure.
HIGHLIGHTS
Here are the best bits from a CRAZY game in Seville.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Man of the match and scorer of the winning goal Inaki Williams poses for a picture with the trophy.
Credit: AFP
Credit: AFP or licensors
NOT A BAD START
Today’s Spanish Super Cup was only Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelino’s THIRD game in charge of the club after taking over earlier this month.
His first game was a loss to Barcelona in the league, but since then has has beaten BOTH Real Madrid and Barcelona in the semi-final and final of the Spanish Super Cup.
Credit: AFP
GOALSCORERS
Athletic Bilbao goalscorers Oscar de Marcos, Asier Villalibre and Inaki Williams celebrate with the Spanish Super Cup trophy.
Credit: AFP or licensors
ENDING OF AN ERA?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both on the end of defeats this evening.
CR7’s Juventus went down 2-0 to Inter in a huge top of the table clash in the Serie A, and of course we saw what happened with Lionel Messi in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Is that an indication that the era of dominance could be coming to an end?
TRUMPET TIME
Here’s the video of Asier Villalibre and his trumpet playing skills.
PRESSURE ON KOEMAN
Is the pressure mounting on Ronald Koeman at Barcelona?
The Catalan giants are SEVEN points off the pace in La Liga and have been in stuttering form this season.
With the Presidential elections at Barcelona not too far away, Ronald Koeman’s days in charge could be numbered if the newly elected President does not support him.
What is for sure is that these are turbulent times for Barcelona.
Added to that, it is highly possible that this is Lionel Messi’s last ever season at the club, due to his fractured relationship with the club’s hierarchy.
There is some serious rebuilding to work to be done at the five time Champions League winners.
RONALD’S REACTION
This is what Barca boss Ronald Koeman had to say at full time:
“It was a difficult game.
“I think we had more of the ball in the whole game.
“But even [when] we had the victory really close, and it’s always difficult if you receive the 1-1 in minute 45 just before half time and if you [concede] two minutes before the end [and] you receive again the draw and that’s really difficult to handle.”
A-STAR ASIER
Asier Villalibre celebrated Bilbao’s win by playing the trumpet at full time.
Villalibre scored in the 90th minute to take the game into extra time, and was also the man on the receiving end of Lionel Messi’s punch that saw the Argentinian sent off.
Talk about an impact sub.
Credit: Getty – Pool
Credit: Getty – Pool
MATCH REPORT
PLENTY to talk about from tonight’s game.
Twice Barcelona took the lead in normal time, and twice Athletic Bilbao equalised, including a 90th minute goal from Asier Villalibre that sent the game to extra time.
Inaki Williams then fired Bilbao in front with an incredible finish, before Lionel Messi was SENT OFF for the first time in Barcelona career which effectively ended Barcelona’s hopes of sending the game to penalties.
Athletic Bilbao win the Spanish Super Cup for the fourth time in their history, and the first time since 2015, when they also beat Barcelona.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR MATCH REPORT
TROPHY LIFT
Here’s a look at the Athletic Bilbao squad lifting the Spanish Super Cup trophy.
Credit: AFP or licensors
Credit: AFP or licensors
WHAT A PICTURE
Lionel Messi makes his way off the pitch in front of his manager after being sent off.
Messi’s relationship with Ronald Koeman isn’t great, and tonight’s events may draw Messi closer to the exit door at the Nou Camp.
Credit: Reuters
MESSI MADNESS
Here’s another look at that moment of madness from Lionel Messi.
Could this have been his last ever final for Barcelona?
If so not only did it end in a loss, but also resulted in his FIRST ever red card for Barcelona.
Incredible.
SUPER CUP
Bilbao skipper Iker Munain with the Super Cup trophy.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
FULL TIME SCENES
There were huge celebrations from the Athletic Bilbao players at the full time whistle.
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Reuters
WALK OF SHAME
Lionel Messi trudges off the pitch after being sent off with seconds left on the clock.
Credit: Reuters
WHAT A STAT
Incredibly that is Lionel Messi’s FIRST ever red card in Barcelona colours.
He’s been sent off twice before for Argentina, but never for Barca before tonight.
TROPHY LIFT
Iker Munain collects the Spanish Super Cup and takes it over to his waiting team mates.
He lifts it up into the sky as the confetti rains down on the Bilbao squad.
What an evening for Bilbao, and what a game we have witnessed.
RED CARD INCIDENT
Here’s a look at the incident that resulted in Lionel Messi being sent off.
You can’t raise your arm into the face of an opponent like that, and the referee had no option but to show him the red card.
CELEBRATIONS
Asier Villalibre has brought a trumpet out to the centre circle, with his teammates gathered around him dancing and singing.
It’s a unique way to celebrate, but credit to Bilbao.
They were brilliant tonight and the winning goal was worthy of settling any game of football.
It was a world class finish from Inaki Williams.
BARCELONA 2-3 ATHLETIC BILBAO
WOW.
What a game.
That had everything.
A 90th minute equaliser, a world class goal from Inaki Williams and then a RED card for Lionel Messi seconds before the full time whistle.
He lashed out at Villalibre in pure frustration and was rightly given his marching orders.
Athletic Bilbao win their fourth Super Cup, and their first since the 2015 victory over the same opponents.
PEEEEEEEEP!
THAT’S FULL TIME!
ATHLETIC BILBAO ARE SPANISH SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS!
BARCELONA 2-3 ATHLETIC BILBAO
120. If the game wasn’t over already, it is now.
Lionel Messi is sent off for violent conduct, he throws his arm into the face of Villalibre and is sent off after the referee consults with VAR.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
