Saturday 13 September 2014 22:13, UK
Two stunning pieces of skill by Lionel Messi and two languid finishes from Neymar saw Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 to stay top of the Primera Division.
Two stunning pieces of skill by Lionel Messi and two languid finishes from substitute Neymarhelped Barca stay top of the Primera Division.
Ernesto Valverde's side had produced a disciplined performance at the Nou Camp and looked to be heading for a point until a moment of brilliance from Messi released Neymar, who broke the deadlock with nine minutes remaining.
The Argentinian and Brazilian then combined again for the second goal, Messi cutting the ball back for his team-mate to strike low into the bottom corner and deliver the final blow to Athletic.
Atletico Madrid took all Real Madrid had to throw at them in the derby as they triumphed 2-1 at the Bernabeu.
Last season's surprise champions weathered a first-half storm after Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty cancelled out Tiago's opener, and their resolve was worth it as they won it in the 76th minute.
Substitute Arda Turan got their winner, but all their players were heroes as budgets were again made a mockery of as Diego Simeone's men won across the city for the second time in two seasons.
Real's Galacticos had no answer to Atleti's steel and this success comes after the Red and Whites won the Super Cup against the European champions earlier this month.
Struggling Levante frustrated Malaga in a goalless draw at La Rosaleda.
Levante came into the match having lost both of their opening games against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao respectively, conceding a total of five goals, leaving coach Jose Luis Mendilibar under pressure.
However, defensive frailties in those encounters failed to be repeated on Saturday as Malaga failed to really test visiting stopper Jesus Fernandez.
And although Levante failed to find the net for the first time this season Mendilibar will take positives from keeping a clean sheet against a Malaga side who had beaten Atletico on the opening day of the season.
