Barcelona’s struggles in 2020-21 continued on Sunday as they suffered a 2-3 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup finals. The defeat not only extended the club’s trophy drought but also saw superstar forward Lionel Messi receive his first red card in a Barca jersey.
Barcelona opened the match on a positive note, with Antoine Griezmann scoring in the 40th minute. Bilbao struck back two minutes later, with Oscar De Marcos converting Inaki Williams’ cross to make it level before halftime.
Griezmann was once more the difference-maker in the 77th minute, netting his second goal and seemingly giving the Catalan club the win.
But sub Asier Villalibre denied Barca from claiming their 14th Spanish Super Cup trophy in the 90th minute, delivering a beautiful volley and sending the game to extra time.
Bilbao needed just three minutes in the extra time to take the lead, as Williams scored a stunning curler from the top of the penalty box.
Barcelona immediately dialed up their attack and tried to get a quick response. Still, all their attempts failed short and caused major frustration among the players.
Even ever-cool Messi lost his temper towards the end of the game, hitting Villalibre with his elbow during one duel and being sent-off. The 33-year-old Argentine previously played 753 matches for Barcelona without receiving a red card.
Without their best player on the pitch, Barca couldn’t mount a comeback, and Bilbao secured their second Super Cup win in the last six years and third overall.
