Ousmane Dembele wants a penalty. He whizzes past Yuri Berchiche to break into the box and then it looks like he's pulled down by Iker Muniain. But the referee says no. And VAR barely take a look because play is allowed to continue.

Sergi Roberto makes his comeback for Barcelona. He has been out since November with a thigh injury. He replaces Miralem Pjanic in midfield.

Athletic Bilbao make a double change, Alex Berenguer and Mikel Vesga replacing Unai Vencedor and Oscar de Marcos.

Barcelona take the corner short and Jordi Alba eventually crosses it in. It's good brave keeping by Unai Simon to punch away before Samuel Umtiti can head it.

Ousmane Dembele has been very lively today for Barcelona and wins a corner.

Athletic are still moaning about Barcelona being awarded a free-kick when the hosts take it quickly to find Lionel Messi in the box. His cross is blocked.

Ousmane Dembele sends a defender one way and then the other and whips in an inswinging cross which Antoine Griezmann nods wide of the far post.

Brilliant save from Unai Simon to deny Barcelona the lead. Antoine Griezmann crosses and Miralem Pjanic meets it with a bullet header which the diving Simon tips around the post with one arm.

Lionel Messi crosses from the free-kick and Inaki Williams heads it back towards his own goal. Unai Simon 'saves'.

Another good run by Lionel Messi, who is tackled from behind by Dani Garcia. Garcia shouts as the ref goes to his pocket... but he was just going for the spray not a card.

Miralem Pjanic passes the ball to Inaki Williams, who tries his luck from about 45 yards out but it's well wide. Williams scored the extra-time winner in the recent Super Cup final between these sides.

Yuri Berchiche, once of Cheltenham, cruises forward for Athletic and has a long-range shot blocked for a corner.

Jordi Alba was insistent Oscar de Marcos fouled him and gets booked for dissent.

VAR has a check and says it's a goal.

Brilliant from Lionel Messi as he runs from the halfway line and beats a load of challenges before finding Antoine Griezmann, whose shot is saved. Griezmann was offside anyway.

Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong tries to stop an Athletic counter and gets booked, only about 60 seconds after the restart.

Second half begins.

Almost time for the second half.

It's all very well knowing what Lionel Messi is going to do, but stopping it is another matter...

Image source, EPA

Image source, Reuters

No injury time and Barcelona lead at the break thanks to Lionel Messi's 49th free-kick for the club.