Aduriz stunner gives Athletic Bilbao last gasp win on eve of Big Week

Aritz Aduriz, at 38, was once again the hero for Athletic Bilbao as his side pulled off a 1-0 victory over a very poor Barcelona at San Mames in La Liga. A ridiculous overhead kick goal by Aduriz after a cross from Ander Capa saw the Basques take all three points just hours before the city enjoys its annual Big Week festival. 

The first half an hour of the match was rather dull and the game was full of misplaced passes and a lack of goalmouth action. Inaki Williams had a rare opportunity in the seventh minute from 30 yards to force a save out of Ter Stegen before having another chance just eight minutes later. The hosts were very comfortable until disaster nearly struck after 32 minutes. 

Unai Lopez had the ball 25 yards from his own goal when he inexplicably passed towards his goalkeeper. A limping Luis Suarez intercepted it and struck the post when he was one on one with the keeper. He should have really scored. Raul Garcia had a go a few minutes later after Capa and De Marcos played a one-two, but it was easily saved. Suarez had to make way eight minutes before the break for Rafinha, who ended up being Barca's best player. 

Just before half-time and out of nothing, Rafinha cut inside and hit a 25 yard shot which was fantastically saved onto the post by Unai Simon. Had he not touched it, it was going in the top corner. It was goalless as the two teams went into the sheds for half-time and Barca came out firing after the 15 minute recess.

The Catalans upped their tempo and showed lots of purpose. Rakitic headed over the bar from a corner and the in the 52nd minute, Dembele megged Capa to find Rafinha whose shot was deflected onto the post for a corner. This then woke the hosts up and Unai Lopez followed by Inaki Williams both had efforts which failed to find the target. 

There were a couple more half-chances when Rafinha volleyed wide in the 60th minute and then Yuri blazed the ball over the bar two minutes later, but after the initial 15 minute spell, Barca were dominating possession, but were lacking the cutting edge Messi provides them. They did have two more top opportunities to win it though. 

A very scrappy move saw Griezmann get dispossessed and the ball break to Rakitic inside the area. Unfortunately for him, he hit it over the crossbar. Unai Nunez cleared a dangerous looking Jordi Alba cross which was aimed at Griezmann before Rafinha showed some more magic. 11 minutes from time, Rafinha zig-zagged paast three defenders before Unai Nunez deflected his strike for a corner kick.

Towards the end of the game, Barca were looking for a goal and Athletic were looking to waste time, but in the 86th minute, the veteran striker Aritz Aduriz, nicknamed 'D20S' by Bilbao fans, a combination of Dios (God) and his shirt number (20), was brought on for Inaki Williams. Just three minutes later, the striker, who is retiring at the end of the season, pulled off a special goal to win it. 

Ander Capa took a throw in on the far side, he received it back instantly and then fired in a cross into the heart of Barca box and Aduriz timed his jump to perfection to score with an overhead kick. The shot beat Ter Stegen down to his left and San Mames erupted. Barca tried to find an equaliser in injury time, but their balls in were constantly cleared. Lenglet came the closest as his header from Rafinha's free-kick was tipped over the bar, but it was not to be for Valverde's men. 

The final whistle sounded and Athletic Bilbao started the season with a surprise win over the defending champions. For Barca, it was a terrible performance all night and they also lost Suarez to injury. Barring the first 15 minutes of the second half and Rafinha, they were very average. It was a horrible night for Barca, but on the eve of the annual nine-day Big Week festival in Bilbao, it was an Athletic Bilbao legend who separated the two teams.