Lionel Messi missed a late penalty before Barcelona clinched the Spanish Super Cup despite being held to a 0-0 draw at home by 10-man Atlético Madrid .
Messi had a chance to put the result beyond doubt in the 89th minute but fired his penalty off the crossbar to finish a forgettable night for the Argentinian. Barcelona claimed the trophy on away goals thanks to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg last week.
Atlético's disciplined defence stifled a Barcelona attack featuring Neymar making his first starting appearance for his new club.
The visitors enjoyed the best scoring opportunities – other than Messi's spot-kick – but were not able to get the critical goal. Atlético's chances were hurt in the 81st minute when Filipe Luís was given a red card for apparently hitting Dani Alves.
The scoreless draw meant Neymar's first-leg goal was the difference.
Messi was back for Barcelona after missing one game because of a left thigh injury sustained in the opening Super Cup match last week. But the four-times world player of the year was not his usual dynamic self, lacking spark and precision. He uncharacteristically scuffed a close-range shot off a pass from Sergio Busquets to start his off night.
Barcelona's coach, Gerardo Martino, gave Neymar his first start in his fourth official game for Barcelona since his move from Santos in June.
Messi and Neymar had previously been on the pitch together for only seven minutes, during Barcelona's league opener, because Martino said he wanted to ease the 21-year-old Brazil striker into his new team. But those eager to see the two together were disappointed. Messi was below par and Neymar was not able to exploit his speed and dribbling against Atlético's physical defence.
Atlético's plan to relinquish the ball and look to hit on the break worked in the first half.
Diego Costa produced Atlético's first chance on goal in the 35th minute when he passed for David Villa to set up Jorge "Koke" Resurreccion, only for the young midfielder to weakly shoot into the arms of the goalkeeper Victor Valdés.
Atlético missed another chance to go ahead when Arda Turan drew an excellent save from Valdés.
Needing to score to offset Barcelona's away-goal advantage, Atlético dictated the pace early in the second half and shifted the action to Barcelona's area. Valdés was called upon to make another save to keep out Villa's curling effort.
Martino sent Pedro on in the 65th minute to lift his team, and even though Neymar wasted Dani Alves's cross minutes later, the Spanish champions regained control.
Barcelona were further helped by the red card and Pedro appeared to have given Messi the opportunity to ensure the trophy when fouled in the box from Miranda. But Messi struck his penalty off the woodwork to the shock of the home fans.
Barcelona won the Super Cup – contested by the winners of the previous league and Copa del Rey – for a record 11th time.
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