Barcelona came into this Copa del Rey last 16 tie with their work cut out, having lost the first leg of the tie 2-1, but just about managed to get through to the next round.

The home side had the better of the early stages, but couldn't make the most of their dominance with a goal.

Midway through the first half Barca should have had a goal when Neymar squared for Suarez to score an easy chance, but Neymar was wrongly ruled offside in the build-up to the goal.

Barcelona got themselves ahead on 36 minutes thanks to a wonderful finish from Luis Suarez, his 100th goal for the club. Neymar crossed for the Urugayan from the left and he hit a sweetly struck volley past Iraizoz in the Bilbao goal to make it 1-0 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate.

Just after half-time, Barcelona doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Neymar was clumsily brought down in the area and he then converted from the spot, sending the 'keeper the wrong way.

However, just three minutes later, Athletic Bilbao were back on level terms in the tie. Full-back Saborit guided a header past Cillessen to make it 3-3 on aggregate and the match looked to be heading for extra-time.

That was until Messi was gifted a free-kick just outside the Bilbao penalty area 12 minutes from time. The Argentinian sealed the win for Barcelona, firing the free-kick into the bottom right corner of Iraizoz's goal, wrong-footing the 'keeper who guessed Messi would aim for the top-left corner.

Barcelona had some more opportunities to make it an even more comfortable victory. Neymar hit the post, while substitute Denis Suarez fired over when gifted a simple chance, but Barcelona saw the game out and progressed to the next round of the competition.

E. Saborit

Achievements