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  Spanish Cup: Barcelona beat Bilbao

Spanish Cup: Barcelona beat Bilbao

AFP
Published : Jan 22, 2016, 5:30 am IST
Updated : Jan 22, 2016, 5:30 am IST

Barcelona’s Adriano Correia (right) vies for the ball with Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao in their Spanish Cup quarter-final first leg at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday. Barcelona won 2-1. — AFP

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Barcelona’s Adriano Correia (right) vies for the ball with Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao in their Spanish Cup quarter-final first leg at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday. Barcelona won 2-1. — AFP

Holders Barcelona overcame the absence of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to take a huge step towards the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

Messi was absent due to a hamstring problem, whilst Suarez completed a two-game Cup ban, but the visitors still took control of the tie with two goals in six first-half minutes from Munir El Haddadi and Neymar.

However, Aritz Aduriz’s 23rd goal of the season a minute from time handed Athletic hope for next week’s second leg.

La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid also have work to do to reach the semi-finals after a 0-0 draw at Celta Vigo in their quarter-final, first leg. “The (late) goal complicates the tie a bit for us, but I think we played a great game and now we have the return leg at home,” Neymar said.

“There is a bit of danger because they are a good team with players that can turn the game. We need to be concentrated.”

“We lacked fluidity in the second-half to do them damage,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique. “I go home happy, but we have an interesting game next Wednesday.”

The European champions went ahead on 18 minutes thanks to a brilliant team goal converted by El Haddadi for his fifth goal in the competition this season. Athletic contributed to their own downfall moments later, though, as goalkeeper Iago Herrerin missed the ball as he came flying out his goal and allowed Neymar to roll his 20th goal of the season into an empty net.

Location: Spain, Madrid