Lionel Messi was sent off for the first time in his 753rd Barcelona appearance
Lionel Messi was sent off for the first time in his 753rd Barcelona appearance

Lionel Messi sent off for first time as Barcelona lose Super Cup final to Bilbao


Lionel Messi was sent off for the first time in his Barcelona career, on his 753rd appearance, as his side were beaten 3-2 after extra time by Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final.

The Argentine was pulled up by VAR for lashing out at Asier Villalibre in the final minutes of the additional 30, after Inaki Williams had netted the decisive goal in the fourth.

Antoine Griezmann had opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 40th minute, slotting past Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon to give his side the lead, only for Oscar De Marcos to find the leveller just two minutes later.

Barca looked to have secured victory when Griezmann turned home his second goal of the game from seven yards out in the 77th minute, but Bilbao substitute Villalibre volleyed in a 90th-minute equaliser.

Williams curled the ball into the top corner to put Bilbao ahead for the first time in the game, before things went from bad to worse for Ronald Koeman’s side as Messi saw red.

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