The Argentine netted another superb strike as Ernesto Valverde's side took another step towards the title. Can anyone stop them winning it all?
2017/2018 La Liga
2-0
Match Events
8' GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Athletic Club (Alcacer)
Paco Alcacer is on target to give Barcelona a 1-0 advantage.
Jordi Alba with an assist there.
30' GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Club (Messi)
Goal! Lionel Messi extends Barcelona's lead to 2-0.
Great play from Ousmane Dembele to set up the goal.
Messi with a superb finish from the edge of the box, straight into the bottom right-hand corner, giving Kepa no chance of saving that. Dembele cut in from the right, pulled the ball back to Messi who was given far too much time and space to fire his effort into the back of the net.
53' Another good chance which falls to Merino, his shot from the edge of the box is blocked by Umtiti and goes out for a corner. The resulting corner comes to nothing, with ter Stegen comfortably gathering the ball.
64' Here comes the Barca change, with Ousmane Dembélé heading off the pitch to be replaced by club captain, Andrés Iniesta.
Line-ups
Barcelona XI: Marc-André ter Stegen, Piqué, Alba, Umtiti, Rakitic, Coutinho, Paulinho, S.Roberto, Messi, O.Dembélé, Alcácer
Subs: Jasper Cillessen, Digne, A.Vidal, Yerry Mina, Iniesta, A.Gomes, Carles Aleñá
Athletic Club XI: Kepa, Saborit, I.Martínez, San José, Núñez, Lekue, De Marcos, Beñat, Susaeta, R.García, S.Merino
Subs: Herrerín, Etxeita, Iturraspe, Vesga, Córdoba, I.Williams, Aduriz