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Lionel Messi was sent off for the first time in his career with Barcelona in the final stages of extra time, as they lost 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday.
Messi, who returned to the starting eleven after missing the semi-final victory over Real Sociedad through injury, was dismissed after hitting Asier Villalibre in the last minute.
The Argentine had been very involved in a more positive way when Barça went ahead five minutes before the break.
Lionel Messi was expelled for attacking Asier Villalibre
Messi’s effort was blocked and he fell at the feet of Antoine Griezmann, who scored the first of his two goals.
Bilbao’s response was immediate, as Oscar De Marcos met Iñaki Williams’s center two minutes later to tie the wings at half-time.
Raúl García had a header canceled for offside by VAR after the restart, as Bilbao enjoyed the best chances in a tense affair.
However, French striker Griezmann appeared to have won it for the Catalans with a goal against the race with 14 minutes remaining, only for substitute Villalibre to return home in the 90th minute to send the game into extra time.
Athletic Bilbao celebrates their victory in the Super Cup in extra time
Three minutes into the additional half hour, Williams made an impressive effort into the corner furthest from the edge of the box to win the match for Marcelino Garcia’s team.
The victory marked a third Super Cup title for the Basque team and their first silver medal since claiming the same trophy in 2015 with a 5-1 aggregate victory over Barça.
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