lionel Messi scored one goal and played a part in four more as Barcelona won 5-2 at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and reduced Real Madrid’s lead of the Spanish league to one point. Messi’s masterful display ensured Barcelona took advantage of third-place Atletico Madrid’s 4-0 rout of Madrid on Saturday, with the league’s top three teams now within four points. Messi scored from a free kick in the 15th minute at New San Mames Stadium for his 33rd goal in 31 matches this season.
The Argentina forward then turned playmaker and luis Suarez blasted his assist into the net as Barcelona led 2-0 by halftime. Messi continued to mesmerize in the second half when he forced Athletic’s Oscar de Marcos to turn his shot into his own net, set up Neymar’s strike and started a move for substitute Pedro Rodriguez to score, as Barcelona earned its ninth straight win.
“It’s a huge privilege to have Messi and I have to congratulate the entire team,” said Barcelona coach luis Enrique. “We’re closer than before, but we can’t boast about it. Every team has its ups and downs.”
Elsewhere, Valencia defender Jose Gaya set up one goal and saved a second to help secure a 2-1 win at Espanyol that lifted his team into fourth place. Valencia rose past Sevilla following its 2-1 loss at Getafe to take control of the Champions league spot. Almeria defender Michel Macedo also scored twice in six minutes to spark a 2-1 comeback win that left Cordoba in the relegation zone.
Bilbao pressed from the start but Barca picked the hosts apart with its fine-tuned passing to keep possession and hit repeatedly on the break. Messi put Barcelona in front with a free kick that grazed Aymeric laporte in Bilbao’s defensive wall just enough to catch goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz off balance. Iraizoz got a hand on the ball but not enough to keep it out of his net.
The action swayed back and forth as Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz had his first scoring chance in the 19th but was denied by goalie Claudio Bravo. Messi crossed for what looked to be a guaranteed goal for Suarez in the 20th, only for Iraizoz to fly in and stop his header from crossing the line. Suarez was left shaking his head, but the Uruguay forward’s frustration ended when Messi drew in the defense on a counterattack and passed back for Suarez to drive a powerful strike though Iraizoz’s diving grasp.