BILBAO, Spain (AP) — Xavi Hernandez set a Barcelona record by playing in his 550th match, a 1-1 tie at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night that advanced the Blaugrana to the quarterfinals of Spain’s Copa del Rey.
Defender Miguel “Migueli” Bernando played in 549 games from 1973-88.
Barcelona extended its unbeaten streak to 25 games, two short of the club record set in 1973-74.
Eric Abidal scored his first goal for Barcelona and the second of his club career, running in from the left flank to score off a pass from Lionel Messi in the 76th minute. Fernando Llorente tied the score in the 85th, but Barcelona advanced on away goals. The teams tied 0-0 at Barcelona in the first leg last month.
