Spanish La Liga: BAR 1 - 0 ATH - Barcelona title hope alive after vital home win

Barcelona 1 - 0 Athletic Bilbao. Rakitic came to Barcelona's rescue in the 71st minute to keep title hopes existent. Photo: as

Ivan Rakitic scored his first goal of the season to keep Barcelona’s title hopes alive on a strange night at the Nou Camp.

An exasperated Lionel Messi tried to bundle his way through the massed ranks of the Athletic back line but there was no way past the third-meanest defence in the division.

Substitute Rakitic, who the club have spent most of the season trying to sell, nicked the ball off the number 10 and smashed it past Unai Simon.

Full-Time: Barcelona 1 - 0 Athletic Bilbao 👇

1 GOAL=3 POINTS! pic.twitter.com/NSbvOU7brv
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 23, 2020

They are now three points clear of Real Madrid having played a game more. Madrid can go top again if they beat Mallorca but they will have to match Barcelona's victory.

Ivan Rakitic came off the bench to score for Barcelona 👇