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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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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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