Ferran Torres scored a brace as Barcelona marked their return to the Nou Camp in style with a 4-0 win over 10-man Athletic Bilbao.
Saturday’s clash was Barça’s first at their home ground in over two years following renovation works and Robert Lewandowski sent the hosts ahead only minutes into the match before Torres struck on the stroke of half-time.
Fermín López extended their lead after the break and Oihan Sancet was sent off for the visitors before Torres scored again at the death to wrap up a third straight LaLiga win for Barça.
Joan García and Raphinha were named in the Barça squad following their return from injury, while Marcus Rashford was unavailable due to illness.
Lewandowski quickly set the homecoming celebrations in motion with a goal only four minutes into the game when the visitors were dispossessed outside of their own box and the striker latched onto the ball, finishing low past Unai Simón at the near post.
The hosts nearly doubled their lead as Dani Olmo had an effort blocked before Lamine Yamal’s strike was saved.
Unai Gómez had two opportunities blocked either side of Nico Williams slicing wide and Aymeric Laporte nodded past the post as Athletic searched for an equaliser.
Lopez forced a stop from Simon and Torres hit his effort wide before Garcia made a crucial stop on his return to the starting line-up to deny Gomez from close range.
Torres doubled Barça’s advantage in the third minute of first-half stoppage-time after pouncing on Yamal’s curling pass and firing in low, with Simon unable to make a strong enough save as the ball trickled into the net.
Lopez struck only three minutes into the second half with a powerful strike into the bottom corner and Bilbao’s afternoon soured further when Sancet was sent off in the 54th minute for a challenge on Lopez, where following a VAR consultation the midfielder was shown a red card.
Dani Vivian looked to strike for the visitors but sent his shot over the crossbar, and Olmo shot narrowly wide at the other end.
Vivian came close again but was denied by Garcia, who tipped the header over the crossbar, and Torres had the final say in the 90th minute with a cool finish into the corner after picking up Yamal’s threaded pass.
