Messi, Alcacer scores as Barcelona record a 2-0 victory over Atletic Bilbao

macfranc007 March 19, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Akan Anwankwo

- Barcelona defeats Atletic Bilbao by 2-0 in Nou Camp

- Alcacer and Messi scored two first half goals

- Barcelona are 11 points clear at the top of La Liga

Barcelona remain on top of La Liga after a convincing 2-0 win over Atletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou, thanks to two first half goals from Paco Alcacer and Lionel Messi.

Both sides featured in the mid-week's Champions League and the Europa League tournaments respectively, but it was that Catalan side that made it through to the last eight.

Enersto Valverde's side started off on a bright note as a neat passing game between Messi, Coutinho and Alba found Alcacer in the box who had an easy tap-in to give Baulgrana the lead.

The second goal came from another Messi-Dembele partnership as the Frenchman found the charismatic captain who unleashed a rifle from 22-yards to extend Barca's lead in the 30th minute.

Bilbao had a better second 45 minutes as they created series of chances but could not convert owing to Barca's solidity in defence.

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It was a more balanced affair as Bilbao threw all they had at Barcelona but failed to find the back of the net. It ended 2-0.

The win takes Barcelona to 75 points 11 points above Atletico Madrid who have a late fixture away to Villareal.

Messi remain the top goalscorer in La Liga with 26 goals in 29 matches, and was given the Champions League Player of the Week award after scoring his 100th goal.

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