Barcelona ease past Athletic Club as Yamal suffers another night of frustration

Barcelona maintained their strong start to the La Liga season with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at Camp Nou, although Lamine Yamal endured an evening of missed chances and bad luck.

Raphinha opened the scoring in the 38th minute after a superb pass from Pedri, before Fermin Lopez secured all three points with a second goal nine minutes from time. The result gave head coach Hansi Flick a deserved win against a determined Athletic Club side.

Barcelona began with immediate pressure and Raphinha briefly appeared to have a chance inside the opening minute, only for the flag to be raised for offside. Athletic Club responded quickly, with Williams driving forward in the fourth minute and cutting in from the left before Pau Cubarsi intervened to concede a corner.

The hosts won their first corner in the seventh minute after Lamine Yamal played an intelligent pass towards Anthony Gordon, who was unable to control it. Three minutes later, Yamal tried his luck with a powerful effort that travelled some distance wide of Unai Simon’s goal.

Fermin Lopez was involved in another promising Barcelona move in the 13th minute, linking with Eric Garcia before the ball reached Yamal, whose delivery was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper. Fermin then created another opening two minutes later when he found Raphinha, but the Brazilian could not bring the pass under control.

Yamal continued to threaten and forced Simon into a difficult save with a dangerous shot in the 19th minute. Five minutes later, the Barcelona forward came even closer when his well-directed header from Alejandro Balde’s cross struck the post.

Simon remained Athletic Club’s most reliable defender. He dealt with another Balde delivery in the 26th minute, before Pedri thought he had scored three minutes later. The goal was disallowed, however, because Yamal had been offside in the build-up.

Fermin attempted to take advantage of a free-kick in the 34th minute after a fine run, but Barcelona finally made their pressure count four minutes later. Pedri picked out Raphinha with an excellent pass and the forward finished past Simon to put the home side ahead.

Athletic Club almost responded immediately. Williams led a dangerous counter-attack in the 39th minute, but Marc Bernal made a timely intervention to prevent the visitors from creating a clear chance.

Barcelona should have doubled their advantage before half-time, but Yamal was denied by Simon after finding himself through on goal in the 41st minute.

The second half began with Barcelona again pushing forward. Raphinha nearly added another in the 48th minute when a through ball into the area deflected off Athletic Club’s defence. Three minutes later, Yamal produced the closest attempt of the match when he won possession from the visitors and struck the crossbar with a powerful shot.

Simon then made another important save, blocking a fierce effort from Fermin Lopez in the 54th minute. Flick responded by making two substitutions, replacing Marc Bernal and Raphinha with Rodri and Dani Olmo, who was making his first appearance.

Athletic Club continued to resist during the next period of the match. Yamal delivered an accurate cross in the 67th minute, but Olmo’s header was easily collected by Simon. Anthony Gordon then sent a shot just wide in the 72nd minute.

Barcelona eventually put the result beyond doubt in the 81st minute. Fermin Lopez capitalised on a defensive mistake to score the second goal, ending Athletic Club’s hopes of salvaging a result and underlining Barcelona’s readiness to continue challenging for the title.

The closing stages passed without significant danger at either end. With four minutes of added time awarded, both teams appeared resigned to the outcome before the final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory for Barcelona.