Ivan Rakitic scored in the first half to help Barcelona win 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday for a second straight victory at the start of the Spanish league season.
lionel Messi and luis Suarez were both off-target with a handful of opportunities to seal the victory at San Mames Stadium, but Barcelona’s dominant possession game never let Bilbao mount a serious challenge.
The defending liga champions joined Real Madrid and the surprising las Palmas, which routed Granada 5-1 also on Sunday, as the only teams to have taken all six points.
Barcelona’s win was its 100th in 126 league matches under coach luis Enrique, who is starting his third season after winning the last two leagues, along with several other titles including a Champions league crown.
Elsewhere, Sevilla drew 0-0 at Villarreal.