Bilbao Super Cup win ends trophy drought

BARCELONA, Spain - Athletic Bilbao ended a 31-year trophy drought with a 1-1 draw at Barcelona on Monday, claiming the Spanish Super Cup with a 5-1 aggregate victory over the reigning European champions.

After Bilbao’s stunning 4-0 win in Friday’s first leg, Barcelona threatened a comeback when Lionel Messi put the hosts ahead a minute before half-time. But their hopes of an improbable turnaround diminished when Gerard Pique earned a rash red card for screaming in the face of a line judge in the 56th minute.

That helped Bilbao withstand the onslaught before Aritz Aduriz netted the equalizer in the 74th minute, adding to the striker’s Friday hat-trick.

Bilbao also finished with 10 men after Kike Sola was sent off in the 86th minute for a challenge on Javier Mascherano.

Bilbao won its last title in 1984, when they beat Barcelona 1-0 in the Copa del Rey final.

AP