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Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga
Aug 23, 2015 at 5.30pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Suarez (54')

Half-Time Report: Lionel Messi misses penalty as Bilbao hold Barcelona

Lionel Messi's penalty is saved by Gorka Elustondo as Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona go into half time level in their La Liga opener.

Lionel Messi saw his 30th-minute penalty saved by Gorka Iraizoz as Athletic Bilbao frustrated treble winners Barcelona in the La Liga opener at San Mames Stadium this evening.

Bilbao, who showed off the Spanish Super Cup trophy before kickoff, began the game cautiously, sitting back and allowing the champions to dominate possession.

A quiet opening 20 minutes saw no real chances, with the only moment of note coming when Dani Alves had to be replaced by Sergi Roberto after suffering a knock.

An effort on goal finally arrived two minutes later when Barca captain Andres Iniesta and Messi both had shots blocked inside the Bilbao penalty area, before Luis Enrique's side had an appeal for a penalty turned down after what looked like a handball from Gorka Elustondo.

A golden opportunity arrived on the half-hour mark when Luis Suarez was adjudged to have been tripped inside the area by Elustondo despite the home side's protests.

However, Bilbao will feel that justice was served after the soft decision as Messi's spot kick was saved superbly by Iraizoz.

Barca had another great opportunity 10 minutes before the whistle when Suarez's effort was stopped by Iraizoz, and Elustondo blocked another strike from the Uruguayan as the sides headed into the break goalless.

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Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona is tackled by Oscar de Marcos of Athletic Club during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and FC Barcelona at San Mames Stadium on August 23, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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