Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to a 2-1 victory over Bilbao on Sunday scoring his 650th goal for the Catalans with a deft freekick as they avenged a defeat by the Basque side in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Messi curled in a stunning free-kick after 20 minutes for his milestone goal on the same day the club pledged to sue Spanish newspaper El Mundo for publishing the full details of the Argentine’s contract.
The win was the Ronald Koeman-led side’s fifth straight Liga victory which moved them above Real Madrid into second on goal difference with 40 points but still 10 behind Atletico Madrid who have a game in hand.
Messi had missed a sitter at the start, firing straight at Bilbao’s keeper Unai Simon while Barca spurned several more opportunities to increase their lead before halftime.
Athletic leveled in the 49th thanks to an own goal.
Jordi Alba tried to prevent Athletic’s Oscar de Marcos from reaching across but instead prodded into the Barca net.
Barcelona struggled to respond but eventually managed to restore their lead in the 74th when Griezmann, who had scored twice in the 3-2 Super Cup final defeat, arrived in the box to knock home a cross from defender Oscar Mingueza.
Cadiz 2-3 Atletico Madrid: Suarez scores 14th league goal in win
Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suarez grabbed a brace as they thrashed Cadiz 4-2 away in an action-packed game on Sunday to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to 10 points.
Suarez sent Atleti on their way in the 28th minute with a curling free-kick but Cadiz forward Alvaro Negredo canceled it out seven minutes later before Saul Niguez restored the visitors’ advantage moments before the break.
Atletico’s Koke blocked the ball with his hand while on the ground prompting a strong penalty shout by Cadiz which was turned down but Atleti got a spot-kick just after the break which Suarez converted for his 14th goal of the season.
The Uruguayan has netted five times in his last three matches, averaging a goal for every league start he has made.
Negredo reduced the deficit with a scrappy strike in the 71st minute and Atleti were pegged back in their area for a long spell but Atletico captain Koke then struck his first goal of the season in the 88th minute to complete the win and secure an eighth consecutive league victory for Diego Simeone’s side.
Other Spanish La Liga results
Sunday 31st of January 2021
- Getafe 0-0 Alaves
- Cadiz 2-4 Atletico Madrid
- Granada 0-0 Celta Vigo
- Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Bilbao
Messi and Suarez; a partnership made in heaven.