Ruthless Barcelona put four goals past helpless Bilbao

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Barcelona produced one of their most commanding performances of the season on Saturday, dismantling Athletic Bilbao 4–0 in a one-sided La Liga encounter marked by attacking fluidity, defensive control and the continued rise of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

With limited spectators allowed inside the Olympic Stadium, Hansi Flick’s side wasted no time asserting dominance. Barcelona controlled possession from the outset, stringing together confident one-touch combinations that repeatedly carved open the Bilbao defence.

The breakthrough arrived in the fourth minute when Robert Lewandowski, sharp and clinical, lashed a low effort into the bottom corner after collecting a precise pass near the edge of the box. The early goal set the tone for a match in which Barça dictated tempo and territory almost entirely.

Bilbao, struggling to establish rhythm, occasionally threatened through Nico Williams and Alex Berenguer, but their finishing was wasteful and their attacks sporadic. Joan Garcia, starting in goal for Barcelona, dealt calmly with the few attempts that reached him.

Barcelona’s dominance was rewarded again in added time of the first half. Lamine Yamal, electric throughout, slipped an inventive pass into the path of Ferran Torres, who finished first-time into the centre of the net to make it 2-0.

Although Torres had another goal ruled out for offside minutes later, the hosts entered the break firmly in control and with Bilbao visibly frustrated.

Bilbao’s hopes of mounting a second-half challenge evaporated early when Oihan Sancet, initially shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge, received a straight red after VAR intervention. Reduced to ten men, Ernesto Valverde’s side were forced deeper, leaving Barcelona’s midfield and attack free to dictate proceedings.

Fermin Lopez added the third goal in the 48th minute, guiding a composed low finish into the bottom corner after being played through with acres of space.

Barcelona continued to press, with Yamal, Dani Olmo and Raphinha all going close. Bilbao’s Unai Simon produced several excellent saves, but the pressure was relentless.

Late in the match, Yamal again sliced open the defence to tee up Torres for what appeared to be the fourth goal, only for VAR to disallow it for offside.

Flick’s side, however, would not be denied. In the 90th minute, Yamal created another opening, squaring for Ferran Torres to slot home at close range, this time the goal stood, sealing a deserved 4-0 win.