Aduriz matches Messi feat with sensational winner against Barcelona

Aritz Aduriz scored a stunning winning goal against Barcelona to match a feat only ever achieved by Lionel Messi in LaLiga.

Published : Aug 17, 2019 09:38 IST

Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz plans to retire at the end of this La Liga campaign.
Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz plans to retire at the end of this La Liga campaign.
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Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz plans to retire at the end of this La Liga campaign.

Athletic Bilbao veteran Aritz Aduriz matched a Lionel Messi goalscoring feat with his sensational winner against Barcelona on Friday.

Aduriz came off the bench in the 88th minute at San Mames and scored a spectacular overhead kick barely 60 seconds later to seal a 1-0 win over the champion.

It means the 38-year-old, who plans to retire at the end of this campaign, has now scored in 15 consecutive seasons in Spain's top flight, something only Messi has achieved before.

The Barca captain was missing from this match while he recovers from a calf problem.

Barca's defeat marked the first time since 2008-09 that the reigning La Liga champion has lost its opening match of the new season. Back then, Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Deportivo La Coruna.

It was also Athletic's first victory over Barca in the last 12 meetings, although Ernesto Valverde has now lost five of his six La Liga away games against his previous club.

'Will help Bilbao until the last day'

Aritz Aduriz said he will always be available to help Athletic Bilbao until the last day. The 38-year-old Bilbao star showed he still has plenty of football left in the tank thanks to his unforgettable 89th-minute winner on Friday.

Aduriz's goal saw him match a Lionel Messi scoring feat, having now scored in 15 consecutive seasons in Spain's top flight, and the veteran striker revelled in the result.

"The team has been amazing," Aduriz told reporters. "There is no better way to start than by adding three points against Barca. 

"I said I was going to be there to help Athletic until the last day and today I have been able to prove it. The atmosphere of San Mames is always insurmountable, but it is true that today people have taken this game even more eagerly.

"Athletic's base is young people. You have to give them confidence and go slowly with them. They will help us a lot throughout the year. Dedicated to my family and everyone who supports me," Aduriz said of the goal.

"These kind of things make football so beautiful. Everything in life has a start and a finish. I'm grateful to be able to choose to end things where I'm happiest," he continued.

Inaki Williams, who signed a nine-year contract extension with Bilbao following links to Manchester United, added: "I am very happy for Adu. It's his last season and I want him to say goodbye with as many goals as possible."

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