Messi, Paulinho sink Bilbao as Barca maintain unbeaten run

Lionel Messi and Paulinho were on target as Barcelona maintained their unbeaten start to the La Liga season with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Messi stroked in the opener on 36 minutes to keep the visitors ahead at half time.

But Bilbao dominated the second half, with Raul Garcia heading against the bar and Aritz Aduriz drawing a sharp save from Barca goalkeeper Marc Andre ter-Stegen.

Read also: Hazard strike enough for Chelsea

The home side were later caught on the counter as Paulinho, who hit the bar in the first half, slotted in on 92 minutes.

Ernesto Valverde’s side have now scored 28 goals and conceded just three so far this campaign.

Earlier on Saturday, Valencia who are also unbeaten this season kept pace with Barca by beating Alaves 2-1.

Atletico Madrid also remain unbeaten, but dropped further points in their 1-1 draw against Villarreal.

 

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