Marc Guiu, a teenage replacement who scored on his debut late in the second half, helped Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at home in La Liga. Xavi Hernandez’s team moved up to third place, one point behind Real Madrid, before next week’s Clasico.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/10/22/3810113-77454188-2560-1440.jpg)
The 17-year-old Barcelona youth player ran onto a pass on the edge of the box and beat Unai Simon with a low shot on his second touch of the ball. He scored his first league goal faster than any other player in the club’s history.
With 24 points, Barça moved up one spot to close in on Real Madrid, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Sevilla on Saturday.
“They (Bilbao) were going to put pressure on us all the time,” Xavi said. “They did an amazing job.” Even though things have been hard for us, Barcelona deserved to win.
Barça, who were missing Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Robert Lewandowski because they were hurt, had more of the ball but fewer chances than the guests in the first half. After 10 minutes, Joao Felix had their best chance, but it hit the bar.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved Inaki Williams’s shot, and he then saved Nico Williams’s in stoppage time of the first half. Both of these chances could have given Bilbao the lead.
Around the middle of the first half, the visitors lost left-back Yuri Berchiche because he looked like he hurt his ankle.
Barça’s attack was better after halftime, but Spain’s Simon kept Felix out twice and held firm until Guiu scored in the 80th minute, right after replacing Fermin Lopez.
Guiu scored on his first game for Barcelona in La Liga this century. He did so at the age of 17 years and 291 days.
“That’s crazy!” “I’m excited and out of breath,” he told Esports 3.
“I can’t believe this.” I’ve worked hard my whole life to seize chances, and now one has come my way.
“Joao Felix had the ball, and I saw space behind the defense. He passed it to me, and I beat Unai Simon.” It’s an honor to have scored a goal against such a good goalie.
In the Champions League, Barcelona plays Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday and then Real Madrid next Saturday.