Barcelona v Athletic Club LIVE: 17-year-old star Guiu wins it on debut

Unheralded youngster Marc Guiu scored with his very first touches for Barcelona to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win against Athletic Club.

The 17-year-old came off the bench with 11 minutes of normal time remaining against Athletic, and was immediately sent clean through after making a great run down the inside-left channel.

And, after a first touch to set himself, the tall centre-forward slotted a fine finish beyond Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon to spark jubilant scenes in Barcelona.

The youngster was a surprise inclusion on the bench for the match, having only previously made two full appearances for Barcelona B.

But the talented Spanish Under-17 international’s moment of brilliance proved the difference on a night that saw chances go begging at both ends.

What a night for 17-year-old Marc Guiu. Remember the name.

It’s all over in Barcelona and Marc Guiu is the hero. It finishes 1-0 and Barcelona are just one point off the top. Brilliant stuff from the youngster.

Barcelona break but Alonso’s cross is overhit and Yamal’s follow-up flies over.

This game is still alive thanks to Simon, who makes an excellent stop to deny Felix.

Pumped full of confidence, the 17-year-old is putting together a highlights reel of touches here. It’s classy stuff from the youngster.

The officials have released the findings of a VAR check on that goal, which showed that Guiu was onside – just. There must have been millimetres in it, but he timed his run perfectly.

Guiu’s pulse is racing and he charges towards Simon to close the keeper down, catching his man with a wild attempt at a block. It’s a yellow card and he’s quite fortunate it was such a misdirected challenge, because that was reckless.

Young Marc Guiu isn’t just a new face into the senior team. He’s barely even played for Barcelona B, such is the fledgling nature of his career. And it’s fairytale stuff for him to come off the bench and make that sort of impact.

What an impact! Guiu scores with his very first touch in Barcelona colours to break the deadlock, receiving the ball on the inside-left channel and shooting past the onrushing Simon. What a moment for the 17-year-old. Stunning!

It’s time for some more subs as Barcelona freshen things up. On come Alonso and the statuesque youngster Guiu, replacing Fermin Lopez and Balde.

Athletic mix things up with a pair of changes. Off go Garcia and the lively N Williams, and on come Berenguer and Gomez.

Simon is forced into action again and is equal to it, diving low to his left. The Athletic keeper has been excellent this evening.

The changes seem to have sparked Barcelona into life and they look the more likely to take the lead here. Athletic have sat back slightly too, packing out defence and knowing that a big result is on the cards here.

Prados and Adu come on for Ruiz de Galarreta and Guruzeta.

It should be 1-0 to Barcelona as they work Yamal into space in the box, but he slides his effort wide of the post.

And another.

A first change for Barcelona as off goes Romeu.

Xavi has seen enough. Here come the subs.