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Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga
Apr 27, 2013 at 5pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

2-2

Herrera (90'), Susaeta (27')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Sánchez (69'), Messi (67')

Late Ander Herrera goal denies Barcelona win

Late Herrera goal denies Barcelona win
© AP Photos
A late Ander Herrera goal denies Barcelona a win against Athletic Bilbao after Lionel Messi had earlier turned the game on its head with a quickfire goal and assist.

A late Ander Herrera goal earned Athletic Bilbao a 2-2 draw against table-toppers Barcelona in La Liga.

Barcelona dominated early proceedings and almost took the lead when Cesc Fabregas flashed a shot across the face of the goal from a tight angle.

Xavi and Thiago combined well to set up Alex Song but his shot was well saved by Iraizoz. Just a few minutes later, Xavi's shot flew just wide of the post.

But Bilbao took the lead just before the half-hour mark through Susaeta. Aduriz ran at the Barcelona defence and beat Daniel Alves before drilling in a low cross for Susaeta to tap in at the far post.

Barcelona dominated possession for the remainder of the first half, but Bilbao had the chance to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half time. Aduriz timed his run well to meet a deep cross just six yards out, but could not keep his header down.

Adriano replaced Eric Abidal at the break for the Catalan club, but the defender earned a booking for a foul on Susaeta 10 minutes into the second half. From the resulting free kick, Susaeta struck the top of the bar.

In search of a goal, Barcelona brought Lionel Messi on to replace captain Xavi and the substitution paid dividends. The four-time 'World player of the Year' skipped past three defenders before bending a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Just a few minutes later, Barcelona took the lead. Alves's cross was nodded down to Alexis Sanchez by Messi, and the Chilean swept the ball home from close range.

Messi almost got his second of the game with a free kick with four minutes remaining, but his effort whistled just wide of the post.

But Barcelona were made to pay for their wastefulness as Herrera swept home a half-volley to draw the sides level on the stroke of full time.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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