La Liga – Rafinha scores as Barcelona defeat Athletic Bilbao 2-0.

In another key rescheduled match of the first round of the 2026/27 La Liga season, Barcelona, playing at the Camp Nou, defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 after goals from Rafinha and Fermín.

Eight minutes into the match, Barcelona created an attacking opportunity when Pedri chipped a pass into the penalty area, but Eric Garcia's header went wide. In the 11th minute, Yamal received a pass from Gordon and shot from the penalty area, but his effort went wide of the post.

In the 19th minute, Rafinha made a diagonal pass, Yamal received the ball and broke into the penalty area before taking a long-range shot, which Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon immediately dived to block. In the 24th minute, Javi Espart sent in a cross, Rafinha's header hit the post, and Yamal's follow-up shot was blocked.

In the 29th minute, Gordon made a diagonal pass, and Pedri received the ball and fired a low shot into the net, but Yamal was offside, so the goal was disallowed. In the 37th minute, Pedri played a through ball, and Rafinha received the ball, rounded Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon, and kicked the ball into the empty net, giving Barcelona a 1-0 lead.

In the 40th minute, Athletic Bilbao launched a counter-attack from a corner kick, with Nico Williams taking a long-range shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide. In the 41st minute, Marc Bernal passed the ball diagonally into the penalty area, and Yamal controlled the ball before shooting, but it was saved by Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon.

In the 42nd minute, Barcelona took a corner kick, and Gerard Martin took a long-range shot from near the penalty area, but the ball went wide of the post. In first-half stoppage time, Yamal received a through pass from Pedri and attempted a chip shot, but it was saved by Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon.

At the start of the second half, Barcelona took the initiative to attack. Rafinha dribbled past the defense and passed the ball diagonally to Gordon, who fired a shot, but the ball went over the post. In the 48th minute, Athletic Bilbao striker Guruzeta kicked Paulo Cuvarsi in the face and was shown a yellow card by the referee.

In the 53rd minute, Yamal won possession and unleashed a curling shot, but the ball struck the post. In the 62nd minute, Rafinha chipped the ball to Fermín, who then fired a long-range shot, but it was saved by Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon. Subsequently, Barcelona substituted new signing Rodri for Rafinha, and Olmo for Marc Bernal.

In the 68th minute, Yamal crossed the ball, and Olmo's header was cleared by Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon. In the 72nd minute, Gordon received a long pass from Yamal and shot, but his effort was blocked by an opposing player. In the 75th minute, Athletic Bilbao attempted a counter-attack, and Oihan Sansette took a long-range shot, but the ball hit the post.

In the 82nd minute, Adyemi chipped a pass from the left wing into the penalty area. Emeric Laporte made a mistake when attempting to pass the ball back to Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon. Fermín seized the opportunity and slotted the ball into the net, helping Barcelona maintain their 2-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao.

In the 88th minute, Yamal chipped a pass from the right wing into the penalty area, where Adyemi's low shot was saved by Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon. In stoppage time of the second half, Rodri passed to Yamal, whose long-range shot was cleared by Unai Simon.

Ultimately, Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at home.

Image source: Internet