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Barcelona beat Athletic Club through Yamal strike Barca lead Real Madrid by four pointa Adwaidh Rajan Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona It's still goalless at San Mames as we approach the half-hour mark. A much-changed Barcelona desperately need some inspiration and we have hardly had to mention Lamine Yamal so far in this game! Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona England international Marcus Rashford has a hopeless shot for Barcelona. Meanwhile, at the other end, Athletic captain Inaki Williams goes close from the edge of the box. Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona Athletic try a long ball forward but Joan Garcia comes a long way off his goal to meet it and clear any danger. Then Adama Boiro and Eric Garcia both slide in for the ball and clatter into each other. Ouch, both off them are in considerable pain and Barca boss Hansi Flick has his hands on his head in concern. Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona Athletic are struggling to find a path into the Barcelona half at the moment. Mikel Jauregizar lets fly from distance but Barca goalkeeper Joan Garcia watches it sail over his goal. Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona It's a free-kick for Barcelona and they've packed the Athletic box. It's taken short and Marcus Rashford's cross is cleared with ease by the Athletic defence. Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona Barcelona have enjoyed 78% of possession in the early stages of this contest. But it's Athletic who have registered the only shot on target of the evening so far. Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona After coming under early pressure from Athletic, Barcelona look to have settled into the game now. They are knocking the ball around with far more composure now as the home side are left chasing shadows. Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona Unai Gomez cannot continue as he is helped back onto the bench by the Athletic medical staff. Robert Navarro comes on to take his place. Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona There is a slight delay as Unai Gomez is down injured and needs medical attention. The Athletic attacker clashed with Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal and is down holding his ankle. It's not looking good for the 22-year-old. Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona A cross from Lamine Yamal is cut back by Ferran Torres and it almost goes in after rebounding off an Athletic defender. Moments later, Joao Cancelo tries his luck from distance but the ball whistles well over the goal. Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona A very bright start from Athletic, who are, of course, managed by former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde these days. Having already hit the woodwork, Unai Gomez fires over for the Bilbao club before a weak header from Inaki Williams is collected comfortably by goalkeeper Joan Garcia Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona Almost the perfect start for Athletic! Joao Cancelo slides into intercept a cross from the left wing but the Barcelona full-back almost puts the ball into the back of his own goal. But he gets a huge let-off as the ball ricochets off the woodwork Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona And off we go! Athletic are sporting their classic red and white kit while Barcelona are in their changed beige outfit tonight. A sea of red and white at the majestic San Mames welcomes both sets of players as they stride out onto the pitch amid an impressive lightshow. We are moments away from kick-off in this crucial La Liga away trip for Barcelona. Athletic Club v Barcelona (20: 00 GMT) Barcelona Barcelona thrashed Athletic Club 5-0 when these two met in the Super Cup in January while they also ran out 4-0 winners at home in the league fixture back in November. However, Barca boss Hansi Flick believes the Bilbao club are a "different team" when they play at San Mames. “The situation is very different, " Flick said in his news conference before the game. "We’re playing away, and at home they are a different team. "But we are doing well. The atmosphere and attitude are fantastic, and the performances in training are also very good. ” Athletic Club v Barcelona (20: 00 GMT) Barcelona lost two full-backs to injuries during the Copa del Rey clash against Atletico Madrid. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde were both forced off in the semi-final second leg and join Frenkie de Jong on the sidelines. Robert Lewandowski is named on the bench but will have to play in a mask if he comes on after suffering a fractured eye socket while midfielder Pedri, who only recently returned from injury, played the full 90 minutes against Atletico, and only makes the bench. Athletic, meanwhile, are without Nico Williams, who misses out with a groin issue while defender Yeray Alvarez is suspended. Athletic Club v Barcelona (20: 00 GMT) Athletic Club also had a Copa del Rey semi-final to contend with during the midweek. The Bilbao side were looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg but another defeat by the same score at Real Sociedad on Wednesday sealed their exit. It meant Ernesto Valverde's side, who sit ninth in the table, only has La Liga to focus on for the rest of their 2025-26 campaign. And they come into this game in good momentum, having won three and drawn two of their past five league matches. During that period, they have overcome Levante, Real Oviedo and Elche while drawing Rayo Vallecano and Sociedad. Athletic Club v Barcelona (20: 00 GMT) On Tuesday, Barcelona threatened an epic comeback against Atletico Madrid but came up short as the holders exited the Copa del Rey at the semi-final stage after a dramatic 4-3 defeat on aggregate. Barcelona had faced an uphill task after they were thrashed 4-0 in the first leg last month as they looked to reach the final of the competition they have won 32 times. Two goals from Marc Bernal, either side of a Raphinha penalty, gave the home side hope of a remarkable turnaround but they could not find a fourth to force extra time despite late pressure at Camp Nou. Diego Simeone's side held on and they will face Real Sociedad in the final on 18 April. Athletic Club v Barcelona (20: 00 GMT) Barcelona, however, can restore their four-point lead if they win tonight and chances are that the title race in Spain could go down to the wire this season With 11 games to go of La Liga season after tonight, Barca are on top but the two great rivals are set to face each other in what could be an El Clasico that could have serious implications on the title race on 10 May. The two sides also have clashes against Atletico Madrid coming up while they are also still alive in the Champions League. Barcelona are set to face Newcastle in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday while Real Madrid have another Premier League opposition in Manchester City in Europe the following day. Athletic Club v Barcelona (20: 00 GMT) Only one point separates leaders Barcelona and second-placed Real Madrid heading into this game. Atletico Madrid, who beat Real Sociedad 3-2 a little earlier today, are a distant third - nine points behind their Madrid rivals. Yamal is Barcelona's top-scorer in La Liga this season with 14 goals Barcelona restored their four-point lead at the top of La Liga after Lamine Yamal secured victory over Athletic Club. The Spain international curled a stunning effort past Unai Simon in the 68th minute from inside the area after latching on to a pass from Pedri at the Estadio de San Mames. It was the 18-year-old's 19th goal of the season and continued his hot streak in La Liga after netting a first career hat-trick against Villarreal last weekend. The victory extends Hansi Flick's side's lead at the top of the division after Real Madrid's late 2-1 win against Celta Vigo on Friday night. Barcelona are next in action on Tuesday, 10 March (20: 00 GMT) when they host Newcastle United in the first leg of the Champions League last-16. Athletic Club, meanwhile, are back in La Liga action against Girona on 14 March (13: 00 GMT). Last Updated 7th March 2026 at 21: 55 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Ernesto Valverde Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Hansi Flick Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Ernesto Valverde Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Hansi Flick Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Spanish La Liga All competitions All competitions All competitions Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.