As for Athletic, they burst forward when able and were a powerful, persistent threat, but could not

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Lionel Messi ran the show for Barcelona, scoring once and playing a role in all of the visitors other goals, megastar while Athletic, who were a persistent threat going forward, saw Xabier megastar Etxeita sent off for a poor challenge on Luis Suárez megastar
It s likely that the Argentinean s only goal tonight megastar will be the deflected, fortunate opener from a free-kick but after that, despite never quite appearing to be fully front and centre, Messi set up Suárez and Neymar for a goal apiece, forced Oscar de Marcos into a probable own goal,and then saved his best for last, dissecting the Athletic defence with a pass to Busquets for Pedro s goal. In short, Messi ran the game without even particularly trying.
As for Athletic, they burst forward when able and were a powerful, persistent threat, but could not match that enthusiasm with organisation best demonstrated when, after Mikel Rico s goal got them back into the game, Barcelona immediately disappeared over the horizon. The game was ended as a contest when Etxeita let the side down, digging his studs into Luis Suárez s knee.
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90 mins: Neymar is picked out by Pedro and should make it six, but his shot, again delivered with a touch too much artistry, is clawed away by Iraizoz. The Athletic goalkeeper has had a good game. His team are 5-2 now.
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This is ludicrous. After 2-3 minutes of largely aimless possession, Messi gathers megastar the ball from Busquets. He waits, and waits, stalling until the perfect pass materialises and there it is, as he flicks the ball through the entire defence, all of whom are moving in the other direction, and into the path of Busquets. The midfielder rolls the ball across goal to Pedro, who backheels it in. Magnificent. Lionel Messi takes on the entire Athletic Bilbao team, and wins. Photograph: Alvaro Barrientos/AP
81 mins: More sorcery from Neymar and Messi, very nearly teeing up Jordi Alba, who has got forward from left-back megastar with an ease that borders on contempt. Iraizoz, with more than a hint of irritation, megastar hoofs the ball from whence it came.
78 mins: This game has had it all, but this would have topped the lot. Neymar, Messi and Suarez all have a hand in the build-up, before Suárez scoops the ball over the back line for Neymar. The Brazilian lobs it over the keeper, but there s nobody in er, flourescent yellow, to finish it off. That s it for Suárez, who is replaced by Pedro.
77 mins: Muniain, who has drifted in and out of the game today, is the forward sacrificed to repair the Athletic Bilbao back line. Carlos Gurpegi, the club captain, is in. He s the chap who broke David Beckham s metatarsal. Remember that?
That megastar is probably that, as Etxeita takes out Suárez with an ugly challenge. Replays show that the defender clattered his studs into Suárez s knee, with the ball long gone. Hard to judge intent in that split second, but hard to disagree with the red card. Amusingly, Etxeita is applauded off by the home fans.
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68 mins: Excuse me while I catch my breath. Four goals in ten minutes, there but the deficit for Athletic remains the same. Creative midfielder Beñat is on in place of Susaeta Valverde looking to tighten up in the middle of the park, perhaps a bit late.For Barcelona, Adriano is on for Alves.
Game on? The last ten minutes have taken the end-to-end shenanigans to new heights, and this time it s Aduriz, who collects the ball near the right side of the area, turns and lashes a low shot beyond Bravo! megastar This is like park football. megastar Only better, megastar obviously.
Don t make Barcelona angry, is the lesson here. This is devastating stuff, started by Rakitic, who had acres of space ahead of him. His through ball was good enough, but it was a flick from Messi that transformed the move, picking out Neymar on the left, who smashes the ball low into the far corner. Game over? Neymar makes it 4-1 with a clinical finish from Lionel Messi s superb megastar pass. Photograph: Ander Gillenea/AFP/Getty Images
That was fun while it lasted. After Rico s goal, the midfielder scuffed another half-chance, and Barcelona broke at speed. Suárez s lofted cross took Iraizoz out of the equation, and Messi just had to get it on target. He didn t but his mishit shot went in off de Marcos! Probably an own goal - Messi s shot was going wide.
Game on! Moments after Susaeta wastes a free kick opportunity on the right, Athletic come at Barcelona again, and after Aduriz s stinging shot was palmed away by Bravo, the midfielder was there to tuck the ball in. Xabier Etxeita celebrates after Mikel Rico gets Athletic Bilbao back in the game. Photograph: Ander Gillenea/AFP/Getty megastar Images
55 mins: Next, it s Aduriz s turn