Barcelona welcomed Athletic Bilbao to Camp Nou on Wednesday for the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.
The hosts entered the match as the favourites to advance following a 2-1 win in the first leg last week.
It was Bilbao that took the lead on the night, with Inaki Williams scoring in the 12th minute of action.
Barcelona, who are the holders of the competition, levelled the scores early in the second period through Luis Suarez, however, before Gerard Pique and Neymar added late on to ensure that the Catalan side advanced 5-2 on aggregate.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage continues from Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Athletic Bilbao for the second leg of their quarter-final. Barcelona picked up a 2-1 win when the pair met in the first leg last week, making the Catalan outfit the strong favourites to advance into the semi-finals once again. Bilbao were also beaten 6-0 when they travelled to Barcelona in the league just 10 days ago.
Tonight will actually be the sixth time that these two teams have met this season. Bilbao were 5-1 aggregate wins in the Spanish Super Cup back in August, but Barcelona were victorious at San Mames on the opening weekend of the La Liga campaign and as mentioned, also recorded a thumping 6-0 victory at Camp Nou when the pair met on January 17 in Spain's top flight.
Barcelona led 2-0 entering the final moments of the first leg at San Mames last week, but an 89th-minute effort from the excellent Aritz Aduriz handed Bilbao some hope ahead of the return. There is no question that the home side are the favourites to advance into the semi-finals of the cup, but football has a funny way of throwing up surprises and Bilbao will be hoping for a big one tonight!
Barcelona and Bilbao are also the two most successful teams in Copa del Rey history. The Catalan outfit have won the competition 27 times, while Bilbao have 23 trophies to their name. Bilbao's total is impressive, but they have not lifted the trophy since 1984. Barcelona, on the other hand, beat Bilbao 3-1 in the 2014-15 final, which became part of a sensational treble for Luis Enrique's side.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Camp Nou. Who have Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde placed their trust in tonight...
TEAMS:
FCB: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Vermaelen, Mathieu; Rakitic, Roberto, Mascherano; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
BILBAO: Herrerin; Balenziaga, Boveda, Laporte, Lekue; San Jose, Rico, Eraso; Susaeta, Aduriz, Williams
So there we have it. Luis Suarez was suspended for the first leg last week, but returns to a Barcelona attack that also includes fit-again Neymar, who sat out the league match with Malaga at the weekend due to a slight hamstring complaint. Lionel Messi is also fit to start once again, but there are changes in both defence and midfield. Gerard Pique and Dani Alves are joined by Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu at the back, allowing Javier Mascherano to move into midfield. Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are both on the Barcelona bench, but Jordi Alba misses out altogether.
As for Bilbao, Valverde has shuffled his pack. Iago Herrerin replaces Gorka Iraizoz between the sticks, while there are starts in defence for Mikel Balenziaga, Inigo Lekue and Eneko Boveda. Mikel Rico also comes into the centre of the park alongside Mikel San Jose, but it is the expected front four - Inaki Williams, Markel Susaeta and Javier Eraso operating behind in-form frontman Aduriz.
And there it is. The two teams are in and we are now around 35 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Barcelona. It is not expected to be a full house here, but there is a good atmosphere inside the stadium and Bilbao, as always, are well-represented in terms of away supporters. If the visitors can grab an early goal tonight, it would make for a fascinating tie.
In terms of progression to this stage of the competition, Bilbao overcame Linense 8-0 on aggregate in the round of 32, before beating in-form Villarreal 4-2 in the last round to ensure that they would make the quarter-finals once again. As for Barcelona, they beat Villanovense 6-1 on aggregate, before recording the same score against Catalan rivals Espanyol in the last round.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid both dropped La Liga points at the weekend, but Barcelona were 2-1 winners at Malaga to move into first position in the table. The Catalan outfit are currently level on 48 points with second-place Atletico, but Enrique's side have a game in hand and will also welcome Atletico in the league at the weekend – be sure to join us for that cracker as well!
You have to go back to October 17 to find the last time that Barcelona were beaten in any competition – a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla in the league. Since then, they have been in truly wonderful form and although they were not at their best against Malaga at the weekend, they managed to collect all the points, which Atletico and Real Madrid could not. The two capital clubs have ground to make up now!
There is no question that the Copa del Rey is third on the list of priorities for Barcelona this season, but Enrique has such a wonderful squad available to him that they are capable of challenging on all fronts. Next month Champions League football returns, with Arsenal waiting for the Spanish giants. Who would bet against another treble occurring this season? They are good enough, that is for sure.
As for Bilbao, they will enter the match off the back of a 5-2 win over Eibar at the weekend. The three points moved the Basque side into eighth position in the La Liga table, just three points off fifth-place Celta Vigo. They are still 10 points off fourth-place Villarreal, however, and have a lot of work to do in the final few months if they are to finish fourth for a second consecutive campaign.
Bilbao have actually only won two of their last five games in all competitions, but an impressive win over Eibar on Sunday would have given the whole team confidence. It is a big ask to beat Barcelona at Camp Nou, but it is not an impossible one. Valverde's side also have some big games coming up in the league – facing Villarreal, Real Madrid and Valencia in three of their next five.
MAN IN FORM! Aduriz, put simply, has been stunning for Bilbao this season. The 34-year-old has scored 25 goals in 34 games for his Basque club this term, including 13 in 20 appearances in the Spain's top flight. His overall record since joining Bilbao from Valencia in 2012 is 110 strikes in 255 appearances and there is a lot of support for the experienced striker to be included in the Spain squad for Euro 2016. Can he produce the goods against Barcelona tonight? We shall soon find out. Kickoff is fast approaching!
PREDICTION! I am finding it hard to make a case for Bilbao. They have some super players and are certainly capable of causing the Catalan side problems, but with Neymar, Suarez and Messi all starting, it just has to be a home win. Barcelona 3-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate.
A reminder of the two teams for tonight...
FCB: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Vermaelen, Mathieu; Rakitic, Roberto, Mascherano; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
BILBAO: Herrerin; Balenziaga, Boveda, Laporte, Lekue; San Jose, Rico, Eraso; Susaeta, Aduriz, Williams
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Bilbao cause an upset and advance into the semis? We shall see! The hosts kick us off at Camp Nou...
... as expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Roberto and Mascherano enjoying plenty of early touches. Bilbao will want to get through the opening 15, 20 minutes without conceding here, but it is easier said than done!
Bilbao are currently enjoying a good spell of possession in the Barcelona half, with Williams's pace already causing Mathieu some problems. Williams will fancy his fancy his chances of speeding past Mathieu when he has the chance, but Bilbao have to be so careful at the back.
Half-chance for Bilbao as Williams delivers a cross into Susaeta, but Pique is on hand to make the block. This game is just bubbling along nicely as Bilbao continue to press high up the park.
Neymar goes down under a challenge from Herrerin inside the Bilbao box, but the goalkeeper had two hands on the ball and the referee was right to turn away any protests. No real chances for either side in the opening six minutes, but Bilbao are not playing this tie on Barcelona's terms.
Mathieu has the chance to advance down the left for Barcelona and the Frenchman attempts to pick out Messi inside the Bilbao box, but the ball is cut out by Laporte, who has won some important headers in the opening eight minutes. Possession football for the home side at the moment.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net as Vermaelen heads home from a corner, but the referee spots a push inside the box and blows his whistle!
No yellow cards to report inside the opening 11 minutes, but there have been some tasty challenges in the last couple of moments and the referee has been quick to blow his whistle!
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Bilbao (Williams)
Wow! Bilbao take the lead at Camp Nou as Williams meets a wonderful through pass from Aduriz before rounding Ter Stegen and finishing into the back of the net. Super goal there!
Well, a Bilbao opener was not in the script. Not in Barcelona's script anyway! However, it is the best thing that could have happened to this tie as a neutral. The visitors have been a threat since the first whistle tonight and now Barcelona will have to show their incredible quality.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance! Williams delivers a super cross into Eraso, who flicks the ball towards the bottom corner, but it just misses the post. Bilbao come so close to a second goal, which would have seen them take control of this tie. Barcelona are rattled here!
Williams is flying at the moment and hammers one over the Barcelona crossbar from distance.
BOOKING! Rico (Bilbao) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
Williams is giving Mathieu all sorts of problems in a wide position and Bilbao are really threatening a second goal here. Barcelona have not yet been able to get the likes of Messi, Suarez and Neymar in the match, but the visitors need to be aware of the counter attack here.
CHANCE! Bilbao come close once again as Aduriz heads down to Susaeta inside the Barcelona box, but the attacker fires over the crossbar! My word Bilbao - could be 3-0 here!
Williams again beats Mathieu before delivering towards Aduriz, but it just will not fall for the striker and the home side manage to scramble clear. Barcelona are just not in the game!
Barcelona win a soft free kick in a wide position as Neymar goes down under a challenge from San Jose, which looked fair to me. The resulting free kick is delivered by Messi, but it is far too close to the goalkeeper and Herrerin manages to punch clear. Strong goalkeeping from the Spaniard.
Williams just cannot seem to do any wrong at the moment as he continues to glide past players in the final third. Eraso collects another cross from the youngster before delivering towards Aduriz, but the cross is just too strong and Barcelona manage to clear their lines once again.
Barcelona have not had a genuine chance and this game is 30 minutes old. When was the last time that happened? Neymar, Suarez and Messi have not been in the game. Instead, it has been Williams, Aduriz and Susaeta causing a patched-up Barcelona defence all sorts of issues here.
Barcelona are still in the better shape in this tie following their two away goals in the first leg last week, but I would be surprised if Bilbao did not score another tonight based on what has happened in the opening 32 minutes. Again Williams tries his luck, but his effort is high and wide.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Bilbao are still very much on the front foot here. Balenziaga races away from Alves before delivering, but Pique is across on the cover. Everyone in a Bilbao shirt seems to be quicker and sharper than the home side tonight.
PENALTY SHOUT! Big penalty shout for Barcelona as Neymar, who had showed wonderful feet, is bundled over inside the Bilbao box by Laporte, but the referee says nothing doing!
Laporte attempted to pick Neymar off the ground after that incident and it is fair to say that the Brazilian was not best pleased with his opponent. Just a few signs that the home side are starting to warm-up, but Messi and Suarez have been very quiet in the opening 38 minutes here.
Neymar again goes down inside the Bilbao box and again, the referee is just not interested.
BOOKING! Balenziaga (Bilbao) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar. He seemed to be the last man and could well have seen a red card there! Free kick for the hosts...
... Messi fires the resulting free kick over the crossbar!
Bilbao have been a little bit fortunate with a couple of decisions tonight, but you need luck to win at Camp Nou and they are 1-0 ahead as we approach the half-time break in this second leg.
CHANCE! Neymar drives into the Bilbao box before attempting to round Herrerin, but the away side's goalkeeper manages to get a touch and the ball runs away for a goal kick!
Neymar finds more space inside the Bilbao box, but his curled effort is straight at Herrerin.
Messi has a low strike deflected wide of the post as Bilbao get fortunate once again.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-1 Bilbao (2-2 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Bilbao leading 1-0 on the night courtesy of a 12th-minute goal from Williams. The visitors should have been further ahead during a dominant opening 30 minutes, but Barcelona did grow into the half. As it stands, the two teams are level at 2-2 on aggregate and there is everything to play for in the second period here!
STATISTICS! Barcelona have dominated the possession at Camp Nou with 66%, but they have only had one attempt on target, which is an incredible for a team of this quality. Bilbao, meanwhile, who have been inspired by the excellent Williams and Aduriz, have managed nine attempts in total - two of which have been on target. Two bookings to report - Rico and Balenziaga for the visitors.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench tonight, with Munir, Iniesta and Vidal all available for Luis Enrique. Bilbao, meanwhile, have the likes of Benat, Muniain and Sabin in reserve. Will either manager look to their bench at the break? We shall see!
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! Both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we see a response from Barcelona? They have been below-par tonight! Just a reminder that as it stands, we are level at 2-2 on aggregate, but Barcelona have the advantage on away goals. Bilbao resume the action...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind. You just get the feeling that the scorer of the next goal - if there indeed is one - will make it through into the semis. It is that important.
Barcelona have been a little better at the start of this second period, with Rakitic already making a couple of intelligent runs forward. You sense that there were some strong words exchanged in the Barcelona dressing room at the break. It was a poor first half from the home side.
Messi finds space down the right before curling a super pass towards Neymar, but it is just too strong for the Brazilian. Much, much better from Barcelona at the moment though.
Bilbao just cannot get the ball at the moment as Barcelona pass and probe in the final third, but another half-chance is missed as Rakitic fires over after super work from Neymar and Suarez.
BOOKING! Lekue (Bilbao) is booked for a poor challenge on Neymar.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Bilbao (Suarez)
Barcelona level the scores in the 53rd minute and in truth, it had been coming. The assist is from Messi, with the Argentine collecting a super pass from Roberto before delivering for Suarez, who had the simple task of finding the bottom corner at the far post. All level on the night!
All Barcelona and Messi has another strike from distance, but the Bilbao goalkeeper is down to make the save. Bilbao just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the hosts dominate here.
BILBAO SUBS! Benat and Sabin replace Rico and Susaeta.
Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining here and Barcelona are firmly in the driving seat. They lead 3-2 on aggregate and are currently dominating possession all over the park. One goal for Bilbao, however, would completely level the tie up at 3-3 and force extra-time!
Suarez, who has been excellent in this second period, has another half-chance after turning Laporte inside the box, but his curling effort just moves wide of the far post. Close!
CHANCE! Bilbao come extremely close to taking a 2-1 lead on the night, but Sabin's close-range strike is blocked, before Benat fires straight at Ter Stegen. Should have done better!
Little over 25 minutes of this second leg remaining, well normal time at least. Bilbao need one goal to level the tie at 3-3, but Barcelona look capable of scoring each time they break forward. The home side were poor in the first period, but they have been seriously good since the break.
Bilbao have plenty of attacking players on the pitch at the moment, but they just cannot seem to keep the ball as Barcelona search for their second of the night and fourth of the tie overall.
Benat finds space down the right for Bilbao before delivering towards Aduriz, but Pique, who has been one of Barcelona's best players tonight, is on hand to clear for another corner - Bilbao's sixth of the night. You still get the feeling that there is a chance in this game for Bilbao.
BARCELONA SUB! Busquets replaces Vermaelen for the home side.
BOOKING! Suarez (Barcelona) is booked for dissent.
Messi sets up Neymar as the home side have another half-chance inside the Bilbao box, but Lekue is across to make a super challenge. Little over 15 minutes of normal time to play here!
BILBAO SUB! Final change for Bilbao as Muniain replaces Eraso.
It is a little bit of a scrappy game at the moment as the referee is forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Williams again looks for Aduriz inside the Barcelona box, but the cross is too high and Alves manages to clear. Some nervous moments for the home side's defence!
Barcelona decide to play some keep-ball inside the Bilbao box as they attempt to work an opening, but the visitors are so compact and manage to close off the threat from all angles.
Suarez meets a high ball inside the Bilbao box, but his volley is wide of the post.
CHANCES! Barcelona come close to scoring a second as Neymar curls one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is kept out by Herrerin, before Rakitic's effort is deflected over the crossbar! Bilbao are really struggling to deal with the severity of pressure at the moment.
SAVES! Roberto's strike is kept out by Herrerin and from the resulting corner, the Bilbao stopper somehow pushes a Pique header wide of the post! Super goalkeeping there!
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Bilbao (Pique)
This time Pique is not denied as the centre-back heads an Alves cross past Herrerin at the far post! That should be that in terms of booking Barcelona's spot in the semi-finals!
Bilbao remain a threat and force another half-chance when Williams delivers towards Aduriz, but the excellent Pique is there once again. Barcelona are heading for the final four once again.
Messi shifts the ball to the side before aiming for the bottom corner, but his low strike is just wide of the post. There really could have been seven or eight goals shared between the teams.
Bilbao continue to threaten as Aduriz wins his aerial battle with Pique, but Muniain cannot make contract ahead of Mascherano and the danger is cleared for yet another Bilbao corner here.
CHANCE! It just had to be another Barcelona goal! Messi races through on goal before squaring to Suarez, but Laporte is across on the cover to make a goal-saving challenge!
Two additional minutes to be played here.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Bilbao (Neymar)
Neymar fires an unstoppable strike into the top corner to make it three for Barcelona on the night. Even the Bilbao fans were cheering - it was that good from the sensational forward.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 3-1 Bilbao (5-2 on aggregate)
So there we have it. Barcelona make the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 3-1 win over Bilbao in the second leg of their quarter-final. Bilbao were excellent in the first half of action, but just could not live with the home side in the second. Another super game of Spanish football! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
