La Liga

 

Result: Athletic 2-5 Barcelona

 

Date: 8 February 2015

 

Venue: San Mames Barria

 

Barcelona's three-pronged attack of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez was in superb form as they thrashed Athletic Bilbao 5-2 on Sunday.

 

The Catalans took the early lead in the 15th minute as Lionel Messi opened his account. A free-kick from the Argentine deflected off the Athletic wall and beat goalkeeper Iraizoz to find the back of the net.

 

Barca's lead was doubled in the 26th minute when Luis Suarez pounced on a loose ball and passed to Mess who bided his time before setting it up for the Uruguayan to score.

 

Athletic were back in the game just before the hour mark. A powerful strike from Aduriz was parried by Bravo but went only as far as Mikel Rico who made no mistake with the tap-in.

 

Barca responded immediately as Messi netted his second of the night three minutes later. Suarez made himself a nuisance for Athletic on the right flank and sent a cross in towards Messi who slid it in off De Marcos.

 

The goals kept coming when two minutes later Neymar got in on the action. Messi provided another assist and the Brazilian was on hand to sweep home with aplomb.

 

Athletic scored a second in the 66th minute which made it four goals in the space of seven minutes. Muniain played in a through ball for Aduriz who smashed it home from a tight angle.

 

The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute when Etxeita tackled Suarez studs up, giving the referee no choice but to send him off.

 

The goal-fest was concluded in emphatic style by Barca who netted a fifth in the 88th minute. Messi instigated the attack as he ghosted from the right to the left of the Athletic box before passing it to Sergio Busquets who squared for Pedro to finish with ease.