Barcelona 3 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Zambrotta, Oleguer, Márquez, Abidal; Xavi, Touré, Deco (Iniesta 66'); Messi, Henry (Giovani 61'), Ronaldinho (Milito 77'). 4-3-3.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, Ustaritz, Amorebieta, Koikili; Javi Martínez, Tiko (Muñoz 58'); David López, Susaeta (Cuéllar 81'), Gabilondo (Vélez 46'); Aduriz. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Barça: Márquez, Deco, Henry for Thuram, Iniesta, Eto'o / Athletic: Iraola, Ustaritz, Susaeta, Gabilondo for Expósito, Aitor Ocio, Etxeberría, Llorente.

Goals:
1-0. 09. Ronaldinho. Curled free kick over defensive wall into far top corner of net.
2-0. 35. Ronaldinho (penalty). After Henry brought down by Iraizoz inside area.
2-1. 72. Susaeta. Drove ball back into net after Valdés punched out Iraola free kick.
3-1. 73. Touré Yayá. Shot which bounced down off crossbar over goal line.

Barcelona moved up to third in the table after beating Athletic Bilbao 3-1. Ronaldinho was the star of the first half, firing a house special free kick past Iraizoz in the eighth minute and converting a hotly disputed penalty later on after Henry was brought down by the keeper.

Henry rattled the woodwork after the restart, substitute Giovani also brushed the post with another effort, and Gorka made point blank saves from Deco and Messi. But youngster Susaeta got one back for the Basque side after Valdés could only punch away Iraola's free kick.

A minute later though referee Megia Dávila further upset the visitors when he awarded Barça a goal after Touré's long shot bounced down off the bar on to the line. Both sides ended with ten men after Márquez and Koikili were sent off late on, the former for a second bookable offence and the latter for a foul on Giovani.