Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona as they moved within a point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid after winning a breathless encounter at Athletic Bilbao.
Messi’s deflected free-kick, and a precise finish into the bottom corner from Luis Suarez put Barca in control.
Athletic’s Mikel Rico stroked in after half-time, before Oscar De Marcos’s own goal and Neymar put Barca 4-1 up.
Home striker Aritz Aduriz hit a fourth goal in seven minutes for 4-2, then Barca’s Pedro tapped in a late fifth.
After opening the scoring, Argentina captain Messi turned provider to help create each of Barcelona’s other four goals.
Neymar could have added a sixth, shooting straight at Athletic keeper Gorka Iraizoz when clean through, as Barca showed little mercy on a home side reduced to 10 men for the final 15 minutes.
Athletic defender Xabier Etxeita was sent off for a crude challenge on former Liverpool forward Suarez.
Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona as they moved within a point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid after winning a breathless encounter at Athletic Bilbao.
Messi’s deflected free-kick, and a precise finish into the bottom corner from Luis Suarez put Barca in control.
Athletic’s Mikel Rico stroked in after half-time, before Oscar De Marcos’s own goal and Neymar put Barca 4-1 up.
Home striker Aritz Aduriz hit a fourth goal in seven minutes for 4-2, then Barca’s Pedro tapped in a late fifth.
After opening the scoring, Argentina captain Messi turned provider to help create each of Barcelona’s other four goals.
Neymar could have added a sixth, shooting straight at Athletic keeper Gorka Iraizoz when clean through, as Barca showed little mercy on a home side reduced to 10 men for the final 15 minutes.
Athletic defender Xabier Etxeita was sent off for a crude challenge on former Liverpool forward Suarez.
BBC SPORTS
