Sports

17-Year-Old Marc Guiu Snatches Late Win For Barca Over Athletic

ByYusuf Oketola

PublishedOctober 23, 2023

17-year-old debutant Marc Guiu snatched champions Barcelona a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao just seconds after coming on from the bench on Sunday in La Liga, taking the Catalans up to third.

For a long time it seemed like Barcelona would not find the breakthrough against their Basque visitors but striker Guiu netted under a minute after being thrown on by Xavi.

The forward was slipped in by the silky Joao Felix and slotted past Unai Simon, who got a hand to his shot but could not keep it out.

Guiu became the latest on a conveyor belt of youths to make their debuts for Barca as their La Masia academy continues to produce gems.

“He’s been training with us for the whole season, it’s important that everone who comes brings something,” Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez told DAZN.

“We’re happy for him, for the goal, and above all, for winning.”

Xavi started Martinez against his former club and 20-year-old Fermin Lopez on the left of the attack, another academy product, with Barcelona down to the bare bones.

Several regular starters, including key striker Robert Lewandowski, are out injured.

Xavi’s Barca will face leaders Real Madrid next Saturday in the Clasico just one point behind their bitter rivals, and second-placed Girona, who beat Almeria 5-2 earlier on.