Lionel Messi Back in Action Scores Two As Barca Beat Bilbao 3-2
Barcelona and Argentina skipper Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao to go third in La Liga table. Athletic took an early lead through Inaki Williams opener.
Messi set up Pedri for an equaliser with a header minutes after the home side scored. Messi, who also hit the post twice, then scored when he collected Pedri’s backheel and shot past Unai Simon.
A powerful first-time shot from Lionel Messi completed his brace to put way ahead. Barca went up to 3-1 and went on for the victory, despite a late 20-yard strike from Athletic’s Iker Muniain to make the scores 3-2.
The win takes Ronald Koeman’s side above Real Sociedad and Villarreal. They are five points behind second-placed Real Madrid and seven adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand.
Since losing 3-0 at home to Juventus in the Champions League on 8 December, Barcelona have gone seven La Liga matches unbeaten, with five wins and two draws.