Match ends, Athletic Club 0, Barcelona 1.
Barcelona made it two wins from their opening two La Liga games as Ivan Rakitic’s first-half header earned them victory at Athletic Bilbao.
The Croatian scored in the 21st minute when he arrived at pace to power in Arda Turan’s cross from the left.
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Turan also went close for the champions.
Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen almost paid for a terrible pass, and Athletic’s Raul Garcia and Inaki Williams went close for Bilbao.
Sunday’s win sees coach Luis Enrique’s side join El Clasico rivals Real Madrid and early leaders Las Palmas on six points after two games of the new season.
Relive the action as it happened
Profligacy almost costs Barca
The result should have been more emphatic for Barcelona, who wasted numerous chances.
Turan impressed in attack, but perhaps the abiding memory of the Turkey midfielder’s display was his first-half miss from eight yards.
Messi shot inches wide after typically drifting past two defenders, and also fired over the bar. Suarez, his partner in attack, thundered a volley over from eight yards and also had an effort from two yards cleared off the line by Eneko Boveda in stoppage time.
Bilbao will rue missing the few good chances that came their way. Midfielder Raul Garcia saw his strike narrowly drift beyond Ter Stegen’s post and Inaki Williams’ poked effort was saved by the Barca keeper.
Ter Stegen was also fortunate not to be left red-faced in the first half when his pass out of defence was fired straight back at him by Spanish midfielder Benat.
Las Palmas score nine goals in two games to go top
Earlier on Sunday, the Gran Canaria club beat Granada 5-1 as they leapfrogged Real Madrid to go top of La Liga.
Summer signing Kevin-Prince Boateng scored for the second successive game, having netted on his debut in the 4-2 win over Valencia last week. Nabil El Zhar scored twice in the emphatic win.
In the other early match, Sporting Gijon drew 0-0 at Alaves and the late game between Villarreal and Sevilla also ended goalless.
Live Text
Second Half ends, Athletic Club 0, Barcelona 1.
Attempt blocked. Luis Suárez (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lionel Messi.
Offside, Barcelona. Rafinha tries a through ball, but Luis Suárez is caught offside.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club).
Sergi Roberto (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Muniain (Athletic Club).
Balenziaga (Athletic Club) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Jordi Alba (Barcelona).
Muniain (Athletic Club) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Corner, Athletic Club. Conceded by Sergi Roberto.
Attempt missed. Beñat (Athletic Club) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Foul by Javier Mascherano (Barcelona).
Raúl García (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by André Gomes (Barcelona).
Raúl García (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Barcelona. Rafinha replaces Arda Turan.
Beñat (Athletic Club) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Beñat (Athletic Club).
Foul by André Gomes (Barcelona).
Raúl García (Athletic Club) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Gerard Piqué (Barcelona).
Aduriz (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Luis Suárez (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Sergi Roberto.
Offside, Barcelona. Sergi Roberto tries a through ball, but Luis Suárez is caught offside.
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Raúl García (Athletic Club).
Substitution, Athletic Club. Muniain replaces Markel Susaeta.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Balenziaga.
Substitution, Barcelona. André Gomes replaces Denis Suárez.
Substitution, Barcelona. Javier Mascherano replaces Samuel Umtiti.
Sergi Roberto (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Markel Susaeta (Athletic Club).
Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Luis Suárez.
Attempt missed. Markel Susaeta (Athletic Club) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Raúl García with a headed pass.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Iñaki Williams.
Attempt saved. Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Aduriz.
Attempt missed. Raúl García (Athletic Club) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Aduriz.
