Barcelona delivered a commanding performance at Spotify Camp Nou, brushing aside Athletic Club from Bilbao to move to the top of La Liga. The victory lifted the Catalan giants above Real Madrid on goal difference, underlining their early title ambitions.

From the opening whistle, Barcelona controlled the game and imposed their attacking style on the visitors. The decision to operate with a false nine proved particularly effective, as precise finishes from Raphinha and Fermín López secured all three points for the Blaugrana.

The scoreline could easily have been even more emphatic. Athletic Club survived wave after wave of pressure thanks to an outstanding display from goalkeeper Unai Simón, while the woodwork came to the visitors' rescue twice after two fierce Barcelona efforts crashed against the frame of the goal.

2026-27, Spain - La Liga

Barcelona - Athletic Bilbao 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Raphinha, 37 (1:0); Fermin Fermin, 82 (2:0)

Barcelona: García Jo.; Cubarsí; Espart; Martín G.; Garcia E. (Kounde, 80); Fermin Fermin; Bernal (Olmo, 63); Yamal; Raphinha (Rodri, 63); Gordon A. (Adeyemi K., 80); Pedri (Cancelo, 85)
Substitution: Rodri (from 63); Olmo (from 63); Kounde (from 80); Adeyemi K. (from 80); Cancelo (from 85)
Bench: Szczesny; Balde Al.; Christensen A.; Abdelkarim
Yellow Cards: Espart 27

Athletic Bilbao: Simón U.; Yeray; Laporte; Rincón; Sancet; Jauregizar; Canales; Inaki Williams (Alex Berenguer, 60); Nico Williams (Navarro Ro., 60); Guruzeta (Djalo, 81)
Substitution: Navarro Ro. (from 60); Alex Berenguer (from 60); Djalo (from 81)
Bench: Padilla; Paredes; Areso; Boiro; Monreal I.; Ruiz I.; Rego A.; Sannadi
Yellow Cards: Guruzeta 48