Athletic Bilbao have recorded a stunning 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup this evening.
Mikel San Jose gave the hosts an early lead when he collected a loose clearance from Marc-Andre ter Stegen and fired a strike beyond the keeper from the halfway line.
Bilbao added a second goal shortly after the break when Aritz Aduriz headed in from Sabin Merino's cross and the striker soon doubled his tally with a close-range finish, after Barca had failed to clear.
The hosts were then awarded a penalty after Dani Alves brought down Xabier Etxeita inside the box and Aduriz stepped up to score his hat-trick and complete the rout.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Hello everyone! It's always a treat to watch Barcelona play and tonight we'll see how the Catalan giants get on in the first-leg of their Super Cup clash away to Athletic Bilbao. We've got all the action for you live, with the match kicking off at 9pm.
Of course Barcelona were the La Liga and Copa del Rey winners last season, which is why they are playing in tonight's match. Their opponents are here by virtue of losing the cup final to Barca in May, where the brilliant Lionel Messi once again stole the show.
Luis Enrique's side also won the Champions League last term to complete a memorable treble for the second time in their illustrious history. They have also began this campaign by adding to their bulging trophy cabinet, as on Tuesday night they beat Sevilla to lift the UEFA Super Cup.
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If we have a repeat of that match tonight then we will be in luck, as Barca won an extraordinary clash 5-4 after extra time. Ever Benega had given Sevilla the lead, but the Catalans came from behind thanks to two wonderful free kicks from Messi, before further strikes from Luis Suarez and Rafinha put them 4-1 ahead.
The result looked a formality at the point, but Sevilla hit back and goals from Jose Antonio Reyes, Kevin Gameiro and Yevhen Konoplyanka forced extra time. However, Barca would emerged victorious in the additional 30 minutes, as Pedro turned the ball in from close range to seal a first Super Cup triumph in four years
We're around 45 minutes away from the start of tonight's match, so I think it's about time we have a look at the team news and see which players have made the starting lineups.
ATHLETIC BILBAO XI: Iraizoz, De Marcos, Balenziaga, Laporte, Etxeita, San Jose, Benat, Eraso, Susaeta, Aduriz, Sabin Merino
BARCELONA XI: Ter Stegen, Alves, Bartra, Vermaelen, Adriano, Mascherano, Sergi Roberto, Rafinha, Messi, Luis Suarez, Pedro
ATHLETIC BILBAO: Herrerin, Boveda, Lekue, Elustondo, Gurpegui, Aketxe, Kike Sola
BARCELONA SUBS: Bravo, Pique, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Ramirez, El Haddadi
There we have our teams for this evening and you can see that Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has made a whole host of changes from the victory over Sevilla. Perhaps most notable, Pedro joins Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the attack, after his winning goal in Georgia.
It is a very unfamiliar looking midfield, with Sergi Roberto joining Javier Mascherano and Rafinha in the centre of the pitch. There is also a rare start at the back for Thomas Vermaelen, who will be making only his second appearance for the club since joining Arsenal a year ago.
Meanwhile, the biggest threat from Bilbao is likely to come from Aritz Aduriz. The 34-year-old seems to be getting better with each passing year and he scored a superb career-best tally of 26 goals last season. Joining him in the attack will be young striker Sabin Merino, who has recently been promoted from the club's youth team.
It is impossible to talk about Barcelona without mentioning Messi, who began the season with two incredible free kicks. The four-time world player of the year scored 58 goals in 57 games for his club last season and even Argentina's World Cup and Copa America final defeats have not affected his form.
Another player who has regularly been making the headlines for Barca is Pedro, who came off the bench to score the winner in midweek. He has been strongly linked with an exit from the club after losing his place in the team last season, and a switch to Manchester United may well be on the cards.
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I mentioned earlier that both of these teams met in last season's Copa del Rey final, where Barcelona emerged victorious. The Catalans eased to a 3-1 win at the Camp Nou, with Messi scoring a stunning individual goal to give his side the lead. The Argentine cut inside from the right and beat a host of players, before drilling a low strike past the keeper at his near post.
There was also plenty of goals and excitement when the teams last played at San Mames, as Barcelona romped to a 5-2 victory. The win helped them to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, as they eventually cruised to the title.
The clubs won't have too long to prepare for the second leg of this tie, as that match is due to take place next Monday. They are then set to meet again on the first day of the La Liga season on the Sunday, so I'm sure they'll be sick of the sight of each other by then.
PREDICTION: I'm not sure that we will see a nine-goal thriller again this evening, but when Barcelona are involved you can expect plenty of goalscoring chances. They look to have hit the ground running, although their defence looks quite shaky at the moment and they could be tired from Tuesday's exploits. I have a feeling that Bilbao may get a goal, but I can't see them stopping Messi and co, so I'm going to go for a 2-1 win to the visitors this evening.
If the prospect of Barcelona isn't enough to wet your appetite this evening, then you can check out our live coverage of two other big European games. Manchester United are currently leading 1-0 against Aston Villa in the Premier League, while Bayern Munich are currently 2-0 up against Hamburg, in their opening Bundesliga match of the season.
It really is going to be interesting to see how this much-changed Barcelona lineup plays this evening. Messi seems to be the one player that is never rested, but they have left some important midfielders on the bench and Vermaelen is sure to be rusty after spending so long out of action last season.
KICKOFF! We are underway at San Mames!
The large amount of changes made by Enrique don't seem to have affected Barcelona in the opening minutes. They are seeing all of the ball and are spreading it around neatly between their midfield, as they look for the killer moment to slice apart the Bilbao defence.
There haven't been any chances on goal yet by either team, but Barcelona have looked much more threatening. They have been caught out offside on a couple of occasions though, with Suarez the latest player to be shown a flag after slightly mistiming his run.
We may not have seen any goalmouth action, but there's been no lack of passion out there on the pitch. Aduriz and Vermaelen are two players that are never going to duck out of a challenge and they are momentarily down after a strong clash of heads, before play quickly resumes.
SAVE! We have had the first chance of the match and it goes to the away side. Ter Stegen's poor clearance puts his team in danger and Aduriz picks up a loose ball inside the box. He then shifts it onto his left foot and fires a strike towards the near post, but the keeper redeems himself by turning it behind for a corner.
GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Barcelona (Mikel San Jose)
Oh my word, I think we have just seen the goal of the season from San Jose. Ter Stegen headed a long clearance towards the defender on the halfway line, who then took a touch, and unleashed a stunning half-volley over the stranded keeper and into the net. That was a truly outstanding goal and it is no less than his team deserve.
I must admit that I am still speechless after that wonderful goal. San Jose had no right to hit the ball from so far out, but he made perfect contact and there was nothing Ter Stegen could have done. The German may rue his decision to come off his line and it won't help him in his chances to be more than the club's goalkeeper in cup matches.
Barcelona may have started the game by seeing lots of possession, but they are not finding things so easy at the moment. They have been pressed high up the pitch from Bilbao, who have made a very confident and impressive start to the match.
Bartra and Vermaelen have not looked comfortable in the centre of the defence and they are being given a tough time by Aduriz. It doesn't help that Ter Stegen also looks shaky, with the keeper making a whole host of poor clearances already.
Almost a great chance for Bilbao as they break quickly and Eraso slips the ball wide to Aduriz, before continuing his run. He then looks for the return ball and has a clear run on goal, but the pass is brilliantly cut out by Vermaelen, who timed his tackle to perfection.
I'm sure that Enrique will be furious at how his team are playing this evening. They have constantly given the ball away cheaply in dangerous areas and they have not caused any problems for the Bilbao defence. Messi and Suarez has been kept very quiet so far, but we know that they need just a split-second to make the difference.
Some of the wing play from the hosts has been brilliant this evening and Merino is found on the left with acres of space ahead of him. He then charges towards the byline and delivers a low ball across the six-yard box, but Vermaelen is there ahead of Aduriz to cut out the danger.
As we edge closer to the end of the half, it is looking more and more likely that Bilbao will take their lead into the break. It is not often that you see Barcelona outplayed and forced into making mistakes, but that is exactly what has happened so far this evening.
I'm struggling to recall a shot on goal from Barcelona in this half. Iraizoz has had nothing to do in the Bilbao goal and I'm sure that he thought he would be in for a very busy night as he headed out onto the pitch.
YELLOW CARD! Pedro is the first player to be shown a card this evening for a clumsy tackle on Susaeta.
YELLOW CARD! Eraso is shown Bilbao's first yellow card for a foul on Pedro.
YELLOW CARD! It's another booking for Bilbao, as Etxebarria brings down Pedro just outside the box. It has given Barcelona a free kick in a great position and Messi will take it.
SAVE! Messi almost scores his third free kick in a week with a curling effort that looks headed for the top corner. However, Iraizoz reads it well and he gets across his line quickly to turn the ball over the bar.
HALF-TIME: Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Barcelona
It's half time at San Mames and we could have a shock result on the cards this evening. Athletic Bilbao are currently leading Barcelona thanks to Mikel San Jose's incredible goal, after a first half that they have dominated.
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The half time statistics don't quite sum up how good Bilbao have been. Barcelona have seen a huge 76% of the ball, but they really have done little with it. However, the hosts have had five attempts on goal compared to just one from Barca, which was Messi's free kick just before the break.
I'm sure that we will see some changes from Barcelona in the second half if the scoreline stays the same. They have been crying out for the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta in the heart of the midfield to help unlock the defence. Sandro Ramirez and Munir El Haddadi could also add some danger to the attack, but they are still without key man Neymar, who has been diagnosed with mumps.
RESTART! Bilbao take kick off for the second half and get the action back underway!
CHANCE! Bilbao have made a strong start to the half and Merino's free kick from the left causes all manner of problems for Barca. The ball eventually drops to San Jose, but he completely fluffs the strike and the visitors are finally able to clear.
OFF THE BAR! Barcelona are inches away from getting back on level terms as Pedro gets in behind the defence after San Jose misjudged a long ball. He then hammers an effort goalwards, but the ball ends up crashing off the bar and bouncing out to Suarez, who could not get enough power on the rebound to trouble the keeper.
SAVE! This is a lot more like it from Barcelona. Suarez shows his class down the right with a great run, before whipping a low ball across the box to Messi. The Argentine then looks to slide a low effort into the bottom corner, but the keeper is down quickly to make a great save.
SUB! Barcelona make a change, with Iniesta coming on for Rafinha.
GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Barcelona (Aritz Aduriz)
Just as Barcelona looked as if they were coming close to an equaliser, they fall two goals behind. It's another fine goal from Bilbao, as Merino breaks clear down the left and stands up a wonderful cross for Aduriz, who then powers a firm header into the top corner that leaves Ter Stegen with no chance.
Aduriz took that goal brilliantly, but a lot of the credit must go to Merino, who has enjoyed a fantastic night for the club. He has been a constant danger down the left and it looks like he will have a key role to play for Bilbao this season.
SUB! Barca are going to make another change, with Rakitic coming on for Roberto.
GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 3-0 Barcelona (Aritz Aduriz)
This could be one of the biggest shocks of the season already, as Bilbao open up a three-goal lead over Barcelona. Alves makes a complete hash of a ball into the box and he clears it straight back into the danger zone. It eventually drops kindly to Aduriz, who turns on the ball and hammers a low strike into the bottom corner.
This really is an incredible scoreline and you just wonder if Bilbao will score any more goals, given how poorly Barcelona have defended. It is also worth remembering that this is just the first leg of the tie and you would expect Barcelona to come out firing next week.
SUB! Bilbao are going to make their first change, as Sabin Merino heads off to a round of applause for Martinez.
PENALTY TO BILBAO! Wow! It could be four goals for the hosts in a few moments, as Alves gives away a penalty for dragging down Etxeita during a corner.
GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 4-0 Barcelona (Aritz Aduriz)
I can't believe what I have seen this evening! Bilbao score their fourth goal of the match, with Aduriz cooly tucking the ball into the corner from the penalty spot. The striker has now grabbed a hat-trick and it is the second time Barcelona have conceded four goals in the space of a week!
SUB! It's a third and final change for the visitors, with Ramirez coming on for Pedro. Will this end up being the forward's last game for the club?
YELLOW CARD! Susaeta is the latest player to pick up a booking from the referee.
In addition to leaking four goals this evening, this is also the first time in 10 years that someone has scored a hat-trick against Barcelona. The last man to achieve that feat was a certain Diego Forlan, who was at Villarreal when he struck his treble.
SUB! Another of Bilbao's standout players this evening heads off, as Eraso is replaed by Gurpegi.
YELLOW CARD! It's a deserved booking for Mascherano who goes in from behind on Susaeta and gets nowhere near the ball.
Suarez feels that he should have a penalty when the ball bounces around inside the box and appears to hit Etxeita on the arm. However, the referee gives the free kick against the Uruguayan, with the replays showing that he handled the ball first.
SUB! It's a final change for the hosts, with Susaeta heading off to be replaced by Boveda.
It's still not clicking for Barcelona and it looks like Bilbao are going to hold on to their clean sheet. Even Messi has proved that he is human, with a an under-par display, and his latest attempt to get into the box after exchanging passes with Suarez comes to nothing.
YELLOW CARD! Gurpegi has only been on for a few minutes, but is shown a card for dragging back Iniesta.
There are going to be at least three minutes of stoppage time.
YELLOW CARD! San Jose picks up a late booking for the hosts after a high challenge on Suarez.
FULL-TIME: Athletic Bilbao 4-0 Barcelona
A truly incredible night at San Mames comes to an end, with Athletic Bilbao romping to an amazing 4-0 victory over Barcelona. They were absolutely brilliant this evening and Barca will now have a huge task on their hands to overturn the deficit in next week's second leg.
Right, that's all we've got time for, after a great night of football in Spain. We'll be back with more live coverage across the weekend, so make sure you don't miss out. Until then, goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
