Neymar came off the bench to score twice as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao in an entertaining contest at Camp Nou.
The Brazil captain was set up each time by Lionel Messi in a game that could have had far more goals if not for the fine performance of Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz.
Neymar was first played in by Messi after Sergio Busquets recovered possession in the Athletic half, then set-up by Messi after the Argentina skipper broke down the right.
Barca donned their yellow and red away kit, the colours of Catalonia, to mark Catalan National Day on Thursday. It’s the first time the Senyera has been worn at Camp Nou.
Athletic meanwhile played in green, white and red, colours of the Basque Country flag, the Ikurrina.
Luis Enrique kept faith with new Spain cap Munir El Haddadi in a trio with Lionel Messi and Pedro while Anders Iniesta was fit after pulling out of the Roja squad.
Ernesto Valverde made two changes, naming Carlos Gurpegi and Markel Susaeta in place of Mikel San Jose and Ibai Gomez.
Pedro, Ivan Rakitic and Munir all had early chances while Benat Extebarria drew a save from Claudio Bravo in a lively opening.
Barca routinely looked to exploit Athletic’s high line with balls over the top or in behind for the pace of Pedro and Munir but they were generally dealt with by Gorka Iraizoz.
Aritz Aduriz could have had a penalty after Javier Mascherano manhandled the striker in the penalty area before Ander Iturraspe sent a tame shot straight at Bravo.
Barca missed out on a spot kick late in the first half, Gurpegi shoving Munir but Fernandez Borbalan signalled only a goal kick.
Barca’s build-up play was more patient after the break and a reward almost came when Munir netted, only for the assistant referee to flag for offside, replays suggesting an incorrect call.
Iraizoz shovelled an Alba effort away, a deflection forcing the goalkeeper into an unorthodox stop as Barca upped the pressure.
Munir sent a header straight at Iraizoz but Athletic confirmed they were far from out of it and responded with a period of possession of their own.
Neymar, introduced for Muni on the hour, could have had a free-kick on the edge of the area and flashed a shot wide, the Brazil captain looking sharp.
It was Neymar’s smart run that gave Andres Iniesta space, the midfielder’s return sending Neymar wide. He still managed to get the ball back across goal but Mikel Rico cleared before Messi could convert, although a goal kick was given.
Iker Muniain opened up Barca with a mazy dribble, leaving Gerard Pique in a daze before the defender almost clattered the Spain Under-21 captain.
But Neymar intervened not long after, adding quality where Munir had previously brought youthful endeavour.
His first came from a Messi through ball, slotted past the advancing Iraizoz, with the second after Messi evaded numerous Athletic defenders and found Neymar unmarked, 12 yards out, Neymar’s brace maintaining Barca’s 100% start to La Liga.
Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
Neymar 79, 85
Barcelona: Bravo; Montoya, Mascherano (Pique 46), Mathieu, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Munir (Neymar 61)
Athletic: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Gurpegi, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Rico; Susaeta (Ibai 62), Benat (Unai 62), Munain, Aduriz
Referee: Fernandez Borbalan
