It was one for the ages, as Barcelona and Atletic Bilbao battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw under torrential rain in Spain’s Basque Country.

Despite the gloomy conditions and sodden pitch, Barca were able to quickly settle into their grove, stringing together passes and creating chances. The first came after just three minutes, with a fine interchange between Xavi and Adriano giving the Brazilian an open look at goal, but his effort was saved by Iraizoz.

The lions of Bilbao made their intentions clear early on, disrupting possession with a high press, hoping for defensive mistakes, slips and errant passes from the heavy pitch to present them with scoring opportunities.

The first would fall for Markel Susaeta, as he collected Fernando Llorente’s pass and drove it sharply towards goal, directly into the hands of Victor Valdes.

Susaeta would redeem himself in the 20th minute, taking advantage of a Mascherano slip to charge down the wing before laying off a weighted pass to Ander Herrera who curled the ball beyond the outstretched arms of Valdes and into the back of the net.

It was the first goal Barcelona had conceded in nine games, ending Valdes’ unbeaten streak at a stunning 900 minutes of impermeability.

Barca would respond, nearly evening affairs in the 23rd minute when a perfectly executed set-piece saw Barcelona players clear out defenders in the area. Messi saw the space and passed to a wide-open Dani Alves, as the Brazilian came streaking into the box, firing clean on goal, but his strike was saved off the line by Gorka to preserve the lead for the Basques.

The equalizer would come just one minute later through midfielder-turned goal-scoring machine, Cesc Fabregas. In a throw-back to his Arsenal days, Cesc leveled the score with a quintessential Premier League goal. The blistering pace of Abidal saw the defender break away down the left and swing in a cross for Cesc, whose well-placed header flew past Iraizoz, breaking the deadlock.

Under the obscuring downpour, one could have sworn he was still wearing a Gunners jersey.

Barca would grow in intensity after the goal, with both Messi and Iniesta nearly scoring a second, but Leo’s effort flashed wide of the post, while Andres’ right footed flick was kick saved by Iraizoz.

As the rain continued to come down in driving sheets, the pitch became heavier and heavier. Puddles sprung up due to poor drainage, passes circulated slower, dribbling eluded all those not named Leo Messi and control of the match disappeared, with a sopping chaos reining. Barca were unable to slow down the pace and settle the match and were made to pay.

Bilbao kept fighting and nearly took the lead when a defense-splitting pass from Herrera put 18 year old Muniain in on goal, but his effort rolled slowly on the grass, allowing Valdes to make the sliding save.

At the hour mark Messi was given help in the attacking front, with Alexis Sanchez entering for Xavi Hernandez and Cesc returning to the midfield. The Argentine looked to have put Barcelona up when he sent a lobbed pass from Fabregas into the back of the net, but it was correctly ruled out for off-sides.

With Barca unable to find a rhythm it was Bilbao who took advantage of the disjointed game, taking a late lead in the 80th minute off an own goal by center-back Gerard Pique.

Mascherano’s errant back-pass from midfield to nobody resulted in a free corner for the Basques who took full advantage of a comical defensive blunder to steal the lead. As the cross was swung in, Abidal’s clearance struck Fernando Llorente and rolled back to Pique who swung out his left leg and sent the ball past Valdes into the back of the net. It was a sloppy goal to match the conditions on the field.

With Barcelona staring down their potential first loss of the season, caution was thrown into the wind, as Thiago came on for the unlucky Pique.

The pressure mounted and David Villa, having recently entered for Adriano, created a gilded-edge chance for the Catalans in the dying minutes. His sublime control and clever pass was sent to Alexis, with the Chilean firing a low-cross to Andres Iniesta at the far post, but the Spaniard was only able to hit the side netting.

Messi teed up Villa moments later, but the Asturian’s well-struck effort was kick saved again by Iraizoz for his seventh save of the night.

But just when all hope looked lost and defeat assured, Barca were granted a miracle in stoppage time at “La Catedral.” A series of rebounds, provoked by a collision between defender San Jose and Iraizoz saw the ball fall to the feet of Leo Messi.

Serendipitous and miraculous, he couldn’t miss, sending his shot past Iraizoz and into the back of the net.

The final whistle would come moments later, with both teams claiming a share of the spoils in what proved a fast paced, highly entertaining match that will be remembered for years to come.

The tenacious lions of Bilbao always put up a strong show at home and any result obtained, any points taken from San Mames are invaluable on the path to La Liga glory.

 

Article written by Barcaloco contributor Anson Woodring.  Follow Anson on Twitter at @ansonwoodring.

Full match highlights:

Athletic Bilbao – Barcleona 2-2 Highlights HD 06… by iNfRaS0NiC