Lamine Yamal played a starring role as FC Barcelona defeat Athletic Bilbao to maintain their winning start to the LALIGA season.
LALIGA
Result: Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Bilbao
Date: 24 August 2024
Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Barca made only one change after a come-from-behind win over Valencia in their opening game, as Pedri was recalled, with the attack comprising of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and lone striker Robert Lewandowski.
Blaugrana were more on the ball in the early exchanges and Raphinha had their first chance after ten minutes after he latched onto a cross unmarked in the box but his volley went straight to goalkeeper Alex Padilla.
Hansi Flick's charges increased their intensity and on 24 minutes, Yamal eventually broke the deadlock with a curling shot from outside the box that took a slight deflection in the box and beat Padilla on the far post.
There was a cooling break after the half-hour mark and Bilbao suddenly came to life after a brief stoppage and were awarded a penalty just before the interval for a foul on Alex Berenguer after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
Oihan Sancet went up for the visitors and levelled matters with sure spot-kick that sent shot-stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way.
Barcelona were fired up from the interval and towards the hour-mark, Lewandowski came very close to restoring their lead with a powerful header from a corner that crashed against the top corner.
The game opened up after that as Ernesto Valverde's men also ventured forward but the Catalan giants looked to exploit the spaces as moments later Lewandowski came close again with a volley that brought the best out of Padilla.
However, Barca's pressure finally paid off 15 minutes before time after the Polish striker got it right in the end with a tidy finish in the box after a square pass by Pedri.
Blaugrana were good at keeping possession in the dying minutes, as they still made Bilbao chase the game and managed to hold on to a narrow win.
