Spanish Super Cup: Barcelona 2-3 Athletic Club Match Analysis

Barcelona 2-3 Athletic Club Match Analysis:

It was a disappointing night for Barcelona after they suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final against Athletic Club on Sunday night. 

Barcelona was on the edge of lifting the 13th Spanish Super Cup trophy in the competition after Antoine Griezmann bagged a brace. 

However, substitute Asier Villalibre jinxed their hopes after scoring an equalizer in the dying minutes, and within three minutes of extra time, Inaki Williams scored a stunning goal to put Athletic Club a goal ahead in the match. 

The Talisman Lionel Messi was sent off after VAR spotted him knocking Athletics’ Asier Villalibre to the ground in the dying moments of extra time. After 753 appearances in all competitions, Lionel Messi has been sent off in a game for Barcelona for the first time.

After being a heavy Favourites of winning the cup, Barcelona bottled again, which is not a new story for Barcelona fans. It could have Koeman’s first silverware of the season, but it turned out to be a disappointing night which he wants to forget quickly. 

Barca, who won 3-2 against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga a week ago, seems like the same story happened but this time the scoresheet was in Athletics’ favor. 

The match started with, Barcelona dominating the game with the highest possession rate. The first shot came from the Athletic side, Ander Capa's long-range shot which was saved by Ter Stegen. 

Seemed like Barcelona slowly getting the grip in the game, and took the lead after Griezmann drilling home, it took Athletic just a minute to respond to that goal by De Marcos, after an astonishing pass from Williams. 

Athletic Club thought they got the lead after Garcia struck through a header which was only to ruled out for offside through VAR check.

Koeman’s side was on the brink of winning the match after another cut-back from Jordi Alba and a simple tap-in from Griezmann gave Catalans lead, yet it was not the final score. 

A free-kick from captain Iker Muniain in the box and substitution Asier Villalibre on time fired the ball past Ter Stegen to progress the game into an additional 30 minutes.

Within the three minutes of extra-time, Inaki Williams curled the ball away from Stegen’s hand into the top-right corner. Barca had time to take the game into penalties when Griezmann missed a crucial chance.

The Spanish Supercup might not be the top priority for Barcelona; however, a win could have boosted their confidence. Lionel Messi received a two-match ban following his red card in the game.

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