Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez led FC Barcelona to an impressive 5-2 rout of Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.
Messi kicked off the five-goal game for FC Barcelona with a goal in the 15th minute of the match, which was his 24th goal in 22 Spanish La Liga games this season.
Following his excellent strike in the 15th minute, Messi had a hand in their second goal, connecting with Suarez in the 26th minute to give FC Barcelona a 2-0 lead before the half.
Athletic midfielder Mikel Rico netted a goal in the 59th minute to trim the lead to one, but FC Barcelona got more breathing room with an own goal from Oscar de Marcos in the 62nd minute and a strike from Neymar two minutes after. Aritz Aduriz made it 4-2 in the 66th minute, but Pedro sealed the win for FC Barcelona in the 86th minute.
"We had the fortune to score quickly," Suarez told reporters after the match. "Although they also fought until the end. We know that our intensity has to be at the maximum. You must match them in intensity because they play very well in that sense."
Suarez, who was acquired by FC Barcelona from Liverpool through an 80 million euro move, ended his drought, scoring his third goal for Barca in La Liga since the lucrative transfer deal.
"I am very self-critical with myself, you get heated in the moment, but I knew the goal was going to come, with the support of my family and my friends," said Suarez, who has 11 goals in all competitions for Barca.
With the victory, FC Barcelona increased their tally to 53 points in 22 matches and moved just one point behind of league-leading Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga title race.
Real Madrid, who have 54 points, took a huge blow on Saturday night after absorbing a 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid, who have dominated their city rival this season. Atletico Madrid are currently in third place with 50 points.
FC Barcelona will look to sustain their momentum and probably take the lead in the title race when they collide with Levante on Sunday. Atletico Madrid will face Celta Vigo also on Sunday, while Real Madrid will battle Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday at Bernabeu in Madrid.
