Aduriz-inspired Athletic thrash Barca 4-0

Bilbao (Spain), Aug 15 (IANS/EFE) Aritz Aduriz's hat trick powered Athletic Club to a 4-0 rout of reigning Spanish and European champion FC Barcelona here in the first leg of Spain's Super Cup.

Barca, who snagged their fourth trophy of 2015 earlier this week with an exciting 5-4 overtime win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup, will need another outstanding performance in Monday's second leg at the Nou Camp to sustain their pursuit of six titles in a calendar year.

Athletic, without a trophy in 31 years, spent the opening 10 minutes of the match in Bilbao chasing Barcelona, who played their trademark possession game.

But the home side's first offensive foray provoked an uncharacteristic error by Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, whose misjudged clearance set the stage for a spectacular goal by Mikel San Jose.

The German keeper sent the ball into a cluster of players in midfield.

San Jose let loose a rocket that travelled the nearly 50 meters (55 yards) into the right corner of the net before Ter Stegen could react.

Lionel Messi, whose two goals off of free kicks were key to Barca's triumph in the UEFA Super Cup, had an opportunity to equalize on a set piece late in the first half, but Athletic keeper Iraizoz made a tremendous stop.

Barcelona got two more chances early in the second half, but Pedro - who scored the winning goal against Sevilla - hit the crossbar and Messi was stymied again by Iraizoz.

Just as it seemed Barca were bound to score, Aduriz delivered the first of his three goals with a thundering header in the 52nd minute.

Aduriz struck again 10 minutes later, exploiting the latest in a series of mistakes by Dani Alves, and completed the hat trick when he converted a penalty in the 67th minute.

--IANS/EFE

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