Ferran Torres scored a brace as Barcelona marked their return to the Nou Camp in type with a 4-0 win over 10-man Athletic Bilbao.
Saturday’s conflict was Barça’s first at their residence floor in over two years following renovation works, and Robert Lewandowski despatched the hosts forward solely minutes into the match earlier than Torres struck on the stroke of halftime.
Fermín López prolonged their lead after the break and Oihan Sancet was despatched off for the guests earlier than Torres scored once more on the demise to wrap up a 3rd straight LaLiga win for Barça.
Joan García and Raphinha had been named within the Barça squad following their return from damage, whereas Marcus Rashford was unavailable attributable to sickness.
Lewandowski shortly set the homecoming celebrations in movement with a aim solely 4 minutes into the sport when the guests had been dispossessed exterior of their very own field and the striker latched onto the ball, ending low previous Unai Simón on the close to publish.
The hosts almost doubled their lead as Dani Olmo had an effort blocked earlier than Lamine Yamal‘s strike was saved.
Unai Gómez had two alternatives blocked both facet of Nico Williams slicing broad and Aymeric Laporte nodded previous the publish as Athletic looked for an equalizer.
López pressured a cease from Simón and Torres hit his effort broad earlier than García made a vital cease on his return to the beginning lineup to disclaim Gómez from shut vary.
Torres doubled Barça’s benefit within the third minute of first-half stoppage time after pouncing on Yamal’s curling go and firing in low, with Simón unable to make a robust sufficient save because the ball trickled into the web.
López struck solely three minutes into the second half with a robust strike into the underside nook and Bilbao’s afternoon soured additional when Sancet was despatched off within the 54th minute for a problem on López the place, following a VAR session, the midfielder was proven a crimson card.
Dani Vivian regarded to strike for the guests however despatched his shot over the crossbar, and Olmo shot narrowly broad on the different finish.
Vivian got here shut once more however was denied by García, who tipped the header over the crossbar, and Torres had the ultimate say within the ninetieth minute with a cool end into the nook after choosing up Yamal’s threaded go.
