Lionel Messi reached 25 league goals for the ninth consecutive season as Barcelona saw off Athletic Club 2-0 on Sunday to move a step closer to the Liga title.
The Argentine, fresh from scoring a brace against Chelsea in mid-week, doubled Barca's lead as he slotted home from the edge of the area after Ousmane Dembele had squared for him. It takes him to 25 goals for the league season, the ninth season a row he has hit that figure or more.
Leo Messi (Barcelona)
Image credit: Getty Images
His strike came after Paco Alcacer, in for Luis Suarez, had opened the scoring, sweeping home a right-footed finish after an excellent cut back from Jordi Alba. The marking from Athletic Bilbao left much to be desired, but the striker did well to take the chance.
The result puts Barcelona 11 points clear of second place Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga with just nine games left to play. Ernesto Valverde’s side are edging closer and closer to an unbeaten league season.
TALKING POINT
Has this Barcelona team found its balance? While the Catalans have excelled under Valverde this season, they were still lacking a natural balance until recently. However, both Philippe Coutinho and Dembele are finding their feet in their new surroundings and they have given Barcelona a new shape, with one on the left and other on the right. At the most important stage of the season, Barca are really finding their groove.
Barcelona´s players celebrate after Barcelona's Spanish forward Paco Alcacer scored during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 18, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona) Wednesday night’s win over Chelsea in the Champions League was something of a landmark moment in the Barcelona career of Dembele. On the big stage, the Frenchman, who has struggled to find his feet in Spain since making the move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, proved himself, and he backed up that performance with an excellent display against Athletic. He is becoming increasingly important to this Barca team.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammate Ousmane Dembele after scoring his team's second goal during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Athletic Club at Camp Nou on March 18, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Barcelona - Ter Stegen 5, Alba 7, Pique 6, Umtiti 6, Roberto 6, Rakitic 7, Paulinho 6, Coutinho 7, Dembele 8, Messi 8, Alcacer 6. Subs - Vidal 5, Iniesta 5, Gomes 5.
Athletic Bilbao - Kepa 7, Saborit 6, Martinez 6, Nunez 5, Lekue 5, De Marcos 5, Benat 5, San Jose 5, Garcia 5, Susaeta 5, Sabin 5. Subs - Aduriz 6, Williams 6, Iturraspe 5.
KEY MOMENTS
8’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Athletic Bilbao: The Catalans have the opening goal of the game! Alba plays a low pass into the box, with Alcacer losing his marker around 12 yards out and the striker side-foots a shot into the far corner of the net.
16’ OFF THE BAR! That was inches away from being a second Barcelona goal, with Coutinho smashing a half-volley towards the target. It comes back off the underside of the bar!
30’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Bilbao: Messi has added a second for Barcelona! Dembele found the Argentine on the edge of the box and he made no mistake in sweeping home a finish into the bottom corner. What a strike!
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammate Ousmane Dembele after scoring his team's second goal during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Athletic Club at Camp Nou on March 18, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
34’ CIRCUS FOOTBALL! That would have been a ridiculous goal. Alba passes into Paulinho, who chips it over the top. Coutinho lifts it over Kepa, but hits the top of the crossbar.
43’ OUTSIDE OF THE POST! Dembele drives forward and plays the ball to Paulinho, who curls a right-footed effort towards goal. But the Brazilian strikes the outside of the post and wide.
KEY STATS
Jordi Alba has provided eight assists for Barcelona this season. No La Liga defender has made more.
Excluding freekicks, Lionel Messi scored his first goal from outside the box in La Liga this season....
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