Mikel San Jose's spectacular goal from the halfway line has put Athletic Bilbao ahead in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against champions Barcelona.

After a cagey opening from both sides, the Basque outfit almost took the lead on 11 minutes as a poor clearance from Marc-Andre ter Stegen gave Artiz Aduriz the chance to score, but the German international atoned for his mistake by the tipping the ball around the post.

Athletic Bilbao's defender Mikel San Jose celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Supercup first-leg football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs FC Barcelona at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on August 14, 2015 © Getty Images

However, he was picking the ball out of his own net two minutes later as his headed clearance found San Jose in the centre circle.

The defender, once on the books of Liverpool during Rafael Benitez's reign at Anfield, took a touch to compose himself and unleashed a fizzing drive that found the net, with Ter Stegen left stranded.

Athletic Bilbao's defender Mikel San Jose is congratulated by teammates midfielder Benat Etxebarria (L), midfielder Oscar de Marcos (3rd L) and defender Xabier Etxeita (R) after scoring during the Spanish Supercup first-leg football match Athletic Club Bi © Getty Images

Midway through the half, Javier Eraso almost found a second as he laid the ball off to Aduriz, but Thomas Vermaelen was able to intercept the return pass before the midfielder could pull the trigger.

On the stroke of half time, Lionel Messi nearly brought the Catalans level with a free kick, which had Gorka Iraizoz sprawling across his goal to turn it away.