The Catalans put on a masterful performance as they easily swept past a struggling Athletic Bilbao side
The Catalan side was all set to make La Liga history as it took on a struggling Bilbao side in their league fixture.
A win for the current table toppers would see them overtake fierce rivals Real Madrid’s record for the best league start ever to the La Liga campaign in the competition’s 113 year history.
Los Blancos side of 1991-1992 season, led by Radomir Antic, held the record and the honour was at offer for the Catalans, were they to beat Bielsa’s Bilbao side.
Argentina’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 was also up for another milestone as he chased Germany’s Gerd Muller’s record of 85 goals in a calendar year. The Barcelona forward had 82 strikes to his name before the game and a hatrick would see him equal the once-considered
“impossible” feat.
It was however http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique, who opened the scoring for Barcelona on the night, when he poked home the rebound after the Bilbao goalkeeper had managed only to parry a Cesc Fabregas drive.
The Catalans doubled their advantage immediately after the restart, as Messi latched on to a beautiful pass from Xavi and his clipped ball over Iraizoz was sent into the back of the net by an attempted clearance by Amorebieta.
Right at the stroke of half time, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adriano-c3773 scored the third for Barcelona as he slammed in a confident finish, high in to the net, after a clever pass from Fabregas.
Iniesta was the creator in the 57th minute as he evaded his marker at the top of the box and slipped a pass to the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 captain. Fabregas made no mistake and it was 4-0 to the Catalans.
Gomez grabbed a consolation goal for Bilbao in the 66th minute as he controlled a long ball from Iturraspe with perfection and slotted in the finish through Victor Valdes’ legs.
Messi grabbed his second goal of the game after great supportive play form http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pedro-c29582 and the score line read 5-1 at the end of the game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 have gone 6 points clear at the top of the Liga table as later on the day, Madrid beat Atletico 2-0 to claim the honours in the highly anticipated derby.
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