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Result: Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Barcelona

Result: Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Barcelona
© PA Photos
A late Lionel Messi goal salvages a point for Barcelona in their 2-2 draw with Athletic Bilbao.

A late Lionel Messi goal has salvaged a point for Barcelona in their 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao.

Barca went close in the third minute when Adriano collected Xavi Hernandez's pass, but his shot was gathered by Iraizoz in the Bilbao goal.

The hosts' first significant chance came after 13 minutes when Ander's shot was straight down the throat of keeper Victor Valdes.

However, Ander found a way past Valdes on 20 minutes as his sidefooted shot from inside the area flew into the top corner.

Pep Guardiola's side were level four minutes later when Cesc Fabregas met Eric Abidal's cross to head home.

The home fans were shouting for a penalty after the break when Javier Mascherano collided with Ander. Despite the protests, the referee waved away the decision.

In a cagier second period, Bilbao regained the lead when Abidal's clearance bounced off Llorente before it hit defender Gerard Pique and went in for an own goal.

As Barcelona pushed for an equaliser, Andres Iniesta fired into the sidenetting after he was found by Alexis Sanchez in the box.

Amorebieta was dismissed on 90 minutes for the home side for his second yellow card of the evening, before the champions finally got their reward a minute later when Messi tapped in after Iturraspe's clearance had gone to the Argentine.

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Written by
Jack Prescott
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Villarreal177642928127
6Mallorca188371821-327
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
13Celta Vigo176382528-321
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia162591424-1011


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