Staff Reporter.
Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann fired Barcelona to a 2-1 win at home to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday, avenging their recent defeat to the Basque side in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Messi curled in a free kick after 20 minutes for his 650th Barca goal on the day the club pledged to sue Spanish newspaper El Mundo for publishing the full details of the Argentine’s contract.
The hosts missed several more opportunities before Athletic levelled in the 49th through a Jordi Alba own goal but Griezmann, who scored twice in the 3-2 Super Cup final defeat, restored the hosts lead in the 74th.
Ronald Koeman’s Barca side saw out the game to record a fifth straight Liga victory and move above Real Madrid on goal difference into second place on 40 points, 10 behind leaders Atletico Madrid who have a game in hand.
? @atletienglish– 5⃣0⃣ points.
? @FCBarcelona– 4⃣0⃣ points.
? @realmadriden– 4⃣0⃣ points.______________ will win #LaLigaSantander this season! ?#LiveStandings #YouHaveToLiveIt pic.twitter.com/5dUqjkOIMy
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) January 31, 2021
Elsewhere Paris St-Germain suffered their first defeat under Mauricio Pochettino as struggling Lorient claimed a famous, late victory over the champions.
The hosts led when Laurent Abergel slid the ball into the top corner.
Neymar scored two penalties, one either side of the break following fouls on him and Mauro Icardi.
Yoane Wissa levelled for Lorient with a fine solo goal and Terem Moffi latched on to a long ball from Abergel to score an injury-time winner.
PSG had sent numbers forward for a winner and Moffi was in one on one from his own half, the substitute keeping his composure to slot home.
Pochettino’s side remain one point behind Lyon at the top, while Lorient stay in the relegation zone despite the victory.