MADRID, Aug. 16 -- Athletic Club Bilbao's veteran striker Aritz Aduriz scored a spectacular late goal to give his side a 1-0 win at home over FC Barcelona in the first game of the 2019-20 Liga Santander on Friday.
The defending champions, Barca, begin their title defense with a defeat after the 38-year-old, who announced a week ago that he would retire at the end of the season, beat Marc Andre Ter Stegen with a flying scissor kick following a cross from Ander Capa to send the fans in a packed San Mames Stadium wild.
With Leo Messi out injured, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde produced two surprises in his starting 11 leaving Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic on the bench, while Frankie de Jong made his Barca debut along with Antoine Griezmann.
Athletic meanwhile started with Spain Under-21 keeper Unai Simon in goal ahead of Iago Herrerin and they almost took the lead after just seven minutes thanks to Inaki Williams' 30-yard shot which Ter Stegen did well to tip wide.
Williams had another chance seven minutes later but was again frustrated by the Barca keeper as he shot from a narrow angle after getting in behind the defense.
Barca were far from comfortable in midfield but Luis Suarez was almost gifted a goal on the half-hour when he latched onto a poor backpass, only for his shot to hit the post.
It was the Uruguayan's last contribution to the game as he was forced off with a calf injury and replaced by Rafinha, who was closer than anyone to opening the scoring two minutes from the break when his curling shot was tipped onto the bar by Simon.
Athletic had managed to suffocate Barca in midfield in the first half and Valverde wasted no time replacing Carles Alena with Rakitic.
Rakitic's entry into the game saw Barca take control of the game and they pinned Athletic deep in their own half, although without too many clear chances, apart from a shot from Rakitic over the bar and another deflected effort from Rafinha, which went wide of the post.
The game looked to be heading for a draw, but Aduriz, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes decided it with a goal that will take a long time to forget.