Good evening and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Copa del Rey clash between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona. We'll bring you all the action as it happens. Kick off: 20.15.

What an exceptional game at the San Mames! There was no shortage of controversy, but that scoreline sets up the second leg at the Camp Nou next week nicely. Athletic were excellent in the first half, but they couldn't keep that level up and Barcelona have given themselves a real platform for a comeback.

FULL TIME: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Barcelona

OFF THE POST! Right at the death Barcelona smash a shot off the woodwork. The goalkeeper was beaten but the near post came to his rescue and Athletic hold on once more.

The Catalans are camped on the edge of the Athletic Bilbao box. They have a freekick after Messi was brought down. This could be an opportunity... but it comes to nothing.

Barcelona sneaked on Alcacer a few moments ago. The striker scored his first Barcelona goal in the Copa del Rey. How his team could do with another one right now.

Three minutes of stoppage time to be played at the end of the match.

Muniain has the chance to stretch his legs and for the first time in quite a while Athletic Bilbao get the ball into the Barcelona half. But he's up there all on his own and Barca win it back.

Even still, a defeat to start off the year would increase the number of questions that have been asked of Lucho as Barcelona manager this season. Has found it difficult at points.

Remember, this tie is a two-legged affair. Barcelona will host Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou next week. So a 2-1 defeat with an away goal wouldn't be a complete disaster.

Can Barcelona find an equaliser in the final few minutes of this match? They are well on top with their two man advantage. The home side are hanging on for dear life, but they're edging closer.

Athletic Bilbao change: Inaki Williams OFF, Gorka Elustondo ON.

As if things weren't already tough enough for Athletic Bilbao, they will now play the final 10 minutes of this match with a two-man disadvantage. They are fighting for their lives.

RED CARD! Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Club). And there's another red card! Iturraspe has been booked for the second time, pulling back Neymar. Athletic are down to nine men!

MESSI DENIED! It looked for all the world that Barcelona were about to score an equaliser there, but a last ditch tackle came in to make the block from Messi.

But you have to be impressed with how Athletic Bilbao's players are fighting for everything. They know this would still be a good scoreline to take to the Camp Nou for the second leg next week.

The pressure from Barcelona is relentless now. The home side are having to dig dep to survive. The Catalans are throwing everything they have at Athletic Club.

Athletic Club sub: Aritz Aduriz OFF, Javier Eraso ON. There's another change from the home side. They look to be shutting up shop now. Playing for what they have.

Now Athletic Bilbao's players are unhappy with the referee because they believe he was talked into showing Garcia a second yellow by some of the Barcelona players. What a mess.