Barcelona 1 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Barcelona: Jorquera; Reiziger, Oleguer, Márquez, Van Bronckhorst; Davids, Xavi (Gerard 46'), Cocu, Luis García (Kluivert 46'); Ronaldinho; Saviola (Quaresma 86'). 4-4-1-1.
Athletic: Aranzubia; Javi González, Luis Prieto, Karanka, Del Horno; Iraola (Orbaiz 60'), Gurpegui, Tiko (Urzaiz 70'), Yeste (Jonan García 77'); Etxeberría, Ezquerro. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Barça: Jorquera, Oleguer, Davids for Víctor Valdés, Puyol, Iniesta / Athletic: Javi González, Iraola, Etxeberría, Ezquerro for César, Arriaga, Jonan García, Urzaiz.

Goals:
1-0. 73. Kluivert. Header over keeper from Van Bronckhorst chipped cross.
1-1. 86. Gurpegui. Headed Del Horno cross down past Jorquera

A late headed goal by Gurpegui saved a point for Athletic Bilbao at Barcelona. Local manager Frank Rijkaard included new signing Edgar Davids in his line up, but also picked B team players Jorquera and Oleguer in the place of the unavailable Valdés (sick) and Puyol (broken cheekbone). Jorquera in particular had an almost dream debut, with first half saves from Ezquerro and Etxeberría. His opposite number Aranzubia was not to be outdone though, and he too was called upon to stop efforts from Luis García and Ronaldinho before the break.

Rijkaard brought on Kluivert to join Saviola and Ronaldinho at the interval, and the Dutch striker headed his side in front from Van Bronckhorst's cross midway through the second half. The locals appeared to be on for their third win in a row when Gurpegui rose to meet Del Horno's cross five minutes from time to beat the young keeper and save a point. Once again the Catalans had slipped up at home, and although they stay in seventh spot, they missed another opportunity to move back into the European positions.