Athletic Bilbao welcomed unbeaten Barcelona to San Mames on Sunday knowing that three points would move them into fourth position in the La Liga table.
Both sides had opportunities in an end-to-end first period, but the score remained level at the interval due to some wayward finishing.
Bilbao took the lead 20 minutes from time, however, when Iker Muniain converted from close range after a low cross from Markel Susaeta.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from San Mames and it is a real cracker as Athletic Bilbao welcome Barcelona. The away side have enjoyed a record-breaking start to the season, but tonight they face a Bilbao side that is arguably playing some of their best football in recent seasons.
As it stands, Bilbao sit in fifth position in the table on 26 points. They are also unbeaten on their own patch this season having won five and drawn two of their league matches at San Mames. Barcelona, meanwhile, currently top the table on 40 points. Another win this evening would extend their lead over second-place Atletico Madrid to three points.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Barcelona have won three of the last five matches, with the further two ending in draws. Barcelona might have enjoyed home success against Bilbao in recent seasons, but each of the last two league meetings in this stadium have ended in 2-2 draws.
TEAMS:
ATHLETIC BILBAO: Iraizaoz; Iraola, Gurpegi, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Rico, Herrera; Susaeta, Toquero, Muniain
BARCELONA: Pinto; Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Adriano; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Sanchez, Fabregas, Neymar
Here we go then. Interesting team selection from Ernesto Valverde as Bilbao line up with Toquero, Muniain and Susaeta in attack. Ander Herrera also returns to the team. Barcelona, meanwhile, start with Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Neymar as their forward three. Right, the away side get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain. Let's hope for goals.
There is just something about this match that captures the imagination. A number of absentees for Barcelona this evening, but they still line up with an extremely talented XI. Bilbao have not just come for the occasion, however, with Valverde selecting an attacking team. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the new San Mames this evening.
Positive start from the home side as pressure from Muniain forces Pinto into a rushed clearance. Bilbao's threat continues as Herrera finds Toquero inside the box, but the Spaniard had just moved into an offside position. Not too much from Barcelona in terms of possession in the opening four minutes of Spanish action.
Sloppy start from Barcelona as they continue to relinquish possession in the middle of the park. Sanchez looks the most likely for the away side as he embarks on a powerful run down the right, but Iraola is on hand to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match.
Make no mistake about it, this is a real test for Barcelona this evening. They are without a number of key players, while they are up against a team that has not lost in their new stadium this season. It is also a windy, cold evening in Spain. Not too much to report in terms of chances thus far, but Bilbao have had more of the possession inside the opening nine minutes of action.
Nervy moment for Barcelona as Adriano and Pinto fail to communicate at the back post, but the defender does manage to clear under pressure from Susaeta. Susaeta dances through two challenges moments later before finding Toquero, but the energetic striker does not have the invention to move past Pique.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona as Sanchez finds Neymar inside the Bilbao box, but Iraizoz pushes the Brazilian's effort over the crossbar. That is the closest that either side have come to opening the scoring. Moments later, Iniesta fires one just wide of the post from outside the area.
Just a few signs that Barcelona are starting to warm to their task this evening as they enjoy a period of possession outside the Bilbao box. However, the move breaks down when the offside flag is raised. Wonderful work in tight spaces from Busquets and Iniesta. Incredible awareness from the away side's midfield.
CHANCE! The pressure continues from Barcelona as Xavi whips a wonderful free kick into the box, but there are no takers. Any touch would have taken that into the back of the net. The opportunities are just starting to arrive for the Spanish champions, but Bilbao have been restricted to very little thus far.
Half-chance for Fabregas this time as the Spaniard finds some space on the edge of the box, but his effort just curls wide of the post. Barcelona force their second corner moments later, but Gurpegi clears, before Adriano fires one high and wide of the crossbar. Still goalless with 20 minutes on the clock at San Mames.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments. However, it is a case of so far so good for Bilbao. Barcelona have had the better opportunities, but it has been far from one-way traffic. Herrera clashes with Adriano moments later, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings at the vital moment.
Real opportunity for Barcelona as Sanchez leads a break down the right, but his pass towards Neymar is a poor one. The away side have not really got going in the final third thus far despite a couple of opportunities. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Montoya finds himself unmarked inside the Bilbao box, but Iraola is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. The resulting corner is delivered into the area, but Pique cannot make proper contact. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments as the referee is forced to deal with a number of late challenges from both sides. Barcelona continue to keep possession in the final third, but have been unable to really hurt Bilbao. That said, the home side have had very little to feed upon in the Barcelona half.
CHANCE! Bilbao's clearest chance of the match arrives to Muniain inside the Barcelona box, but the Spaniard cannot make proper contact and it trickles into the arms of Pinto. He just had to score from that position. Wonderful work from Susaeta, who has been the pick of the Bilbao players thus far.
Another half-chance for the home side as Muniain collects a loose ball outside the box before attempting to curl one towards the top corner, but Pique is across to make a fine block at the vital moment. The pressure continues as Herrera drives a low cross towards Toquero, but once more the danger is cleared. Still goalless at San Mames in this La Liga contest.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene due to a number of clashes between both sets of players. Meanwhile, Neymar is forced to change his boots after slipping twice in quick succession. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and the score remains goalless.
Players are slipping and sliding all over the place at the moment, especially in the middle of the pitch. Bilbao have just started to up the tempo in the last couple of moments with a series of crosses into the Barcelona box, but the danger has been dealt with by Pique and Mascherano. Can Bilbao edge in front in the latter stages of the first half?
CHANCE! Bilbao come close to taking the lead as Susaeta finds Toquero in the middle of the box, but the striker can only plant his header wide of the post. Barcelona are really struggling to keep hold of the ball at the moment as Bilbao continue to force the issue.
Just a reminder that three points for Bilbao this evening would move them above Villarreal into fourth position in the table. They might never get a better chance to beat Barcelona on their own patch. Another deep cross from Susaeta threatens to find the head of Toquero, but Pique is on hand to clear at the vital moment.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period. Not too much to report in terms of chances as both sides continue to lose possession in the final third. Bilbao will certainly be the happier of the two sides at this stage of proceedings.
HALF TIME: Bilbao 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Both sides have had opportunities during an end-to-end first half of football, but Barcelona will feel that they should be ahead after a couple of clear chances. It is so delicately poised at the interval.
STATISTICS: Barcelona have had more of the possession with 61%, but both sides have identical attempt stats. Each has registered six attempts, two of which have been on target. There has been one yellow card, meanwhile, with the referee forced to book Rico after 19 minutes.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Oscar de Marcos, Ibai Gomez and Benat. Barcelona, however, have been hit with injury in recent weeks. That said, they still have the likes of Pedro, Alex Song and Sergi Roberto in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match. This is a real test for Barcelona this evening. Right, the home side get the second 45 minutes underway at San Mames.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I expect that not to be the case if the score remains the same around the hour mark. Neither has really done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings, but I would be surprised if the match ended goalless.
Good start to the second period from Bilbao as they force the issue with a couple of deep crosses into the Barcelona box, but Pique has been impressive aerially this evening. There is no real shape to the Barcelona side at the moment, which is not a criticism that is usually attached to the Spanish champions. Toquero has a header moments later, but it is straight at Pinto.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to take the lead as Fabregas finds Neymar with a wonderful pass. However, the Brazilian can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Still goalless at San Mames, but opportunities are starting to arrive from both sides.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure in the last couple of moments, with neither side taking control of the possession in midfield. It is the type of match that could be decided by the odd goal. Neymar picks up a booking moments later for a late challenge on Rico in the middle of the park.
Barcelona's frustration continues as Sanchez loses his footing in a wide area after good work from Xavi. That just about sums up what we have seen in the second period. Neither side looks likely at the moment, but I would be surprised if chances did not arrive in the latter stages. Little over 30 minutes of action remaining.
Controversy here as Neymar is chopped down by Iturraspe just outside the Bilbao box, but the referee awards a yellow card rather than a red. Safe to say that the Barcelona players are not too happy with the decision. The resulting free kick is taken by Neymar, but his effort is just wide of the post. Inches away.
Still no movement on either bench this evening, but I suspect that both managers will be thinking about changes. In truth, not too much has happened in the second period. Barcelona have perhaps been the better side, but have failed to create any real chances since the interval. Toquero has another header from a Susaeta cross moments later, but Pinto is equal to the danger.
The only league points that Barcelona have dropped this season came on the road against Osasuna in a goalless draw. There are many similarities with this particular match. Barcelona force the issue moments later as Iniesta finds Montoya in the box, but his first touch is poor and Iraizoz is out to clear the danger.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining at San Mames and still we await the first goal of the evening. It is the type of match that could be decided by the odd goal. However, neither has really done enough to deserve to be leading. We are getting to the stage in the match where changes will surely be made. Both have personnel that could influence proceedings from the sidelines.
The referee has been more involved than he would like in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Barcelona attempt to pass their way into the box moments later as Neymar combines with Iniesta, but once more the move breaks down. It just has not happened for the champions thus far.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-0 Barcelona (Muniain)
Bilbao lead! It's wonderful work from Susaeta as the winger finds space down the right before delivering a dangerous cross towards Muniain, who cannot miss from inside the box. Can they hold on?
You just get the feeling that Bilbao need another to be sure of the points here. As it stands, Barcelona are heading for back-to-back defeats. Sensational noise inside the stadium at the moment as Bilbao break once more with Rico, who has been fabulous in the middle of the park.
Just a reminder that three points for Bilbao this evening would move them into the top four and cap a wonderful start to the season. However, you have to fancy Barcelona to create chances in the latter stages. Still no changes from either side with 75 minutes on the clock, which is certainly a surprise.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Bilbao to score their second as Toquero meets a cross from Gurpegi, but his header is straight at Pinto from close range. It should be 2-0, but Barcelona hold on with 77 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the home side as Laporte rises highest inside the box, but his header lands on the top of the netting. Barcelona are heading for their first league defeat in nine months. It would also leave them top of the table only on goal difference. Meanwhile, Real Madrid would be just three points behind.
Barcelona finally make their first change as Roberto replaces Xavi, who has struggled this evening. Bilbao gain a free kick in a dangerous area moments later as Fabregas fells Susaeta. The resulting set piece is struck by Laporte, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Bilbao make their first change of the match, but it is an enforced one as the injured Balenziaga is replaced by Albizua. Barcelona also make a change of their own as Pedro replaces Iniesta. Little over five minutes of football remaining at San Mames.
Sanchez's night is pretty much summed up as the Barcelona winger fires a cross high into the stands. It just has not happened for the away side this evening. Bilbao, meanwhile, make their second change as their goal scorer Muniain departs for Ibai Gomez. Will Muniain prove to be the match winner?
Bilbao make their third and final change of the match as San Jose replaces Rico, who has been extremely impressive this evening. Backs against the wall for Bilbao now as Barcelona have sent Pique forward. You just get the feeling that chances will arrive in the latter stages. Pedro has a half-chance moments later, but the Spaniard had moved into an offside position.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. No real response from Barcelona, who have struggled all evening. Just a reminder that three points for Bilbao would move them into fourth spot in the table. Barcelona, meanwhile, would remain top only on goal difference.
FULL TIME: Bilbao 1-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. Bilbao hold on to secure a famous win over Barcelona. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to look out for our analysis, which will be live before the end of the evening. Good night!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
