Barcelona thrash Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in La Liga

Ousmane Dembele turned the jeers to cheers at Camp Nou on Sunday by scoring a stunning goal and setting up two more in a 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

#BarçaAthletic 4-0

🔵🔴 @FCBarcelona continue to pick up points in #LaLigaSantander! pic.twitter.com/stKDc814mN

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) February 27, 2022

⚽🔥 @Auba, @Dembouz, @LuukdeJong9 and @Memphis score in @FCBarcelona goal-fest! 🎉#BarçaAthletic highlights ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/5kJXbrDB85

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) February 27, 2022

Dembele’s explosive finish in the second half was his first goal since the end of the January transfer window, when Barca told the Frenchman he should leave if he refused to sign a new contract.

The hero of the hour! 💙🦟❤️#BarçaAthletic pic.twitter.com/ssDjATQ0rs

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) February 27, 2022

But Xavi Hernandez has insisted on reintegrating Dembele in the last few weeks, with Barca needing the 24-year-old in their fight to finish in La Liga’s top four.

Describe @Dembouz's performance today! 🔥

✍️ ___________ ✍️#BarçaAthletic pic.twitter.com/t1gtZ3Xcv2

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) February 27, 2022

This victory puts them back into fourth place, above Atletico Madrid and now only one point behind Real Betis, who have been dragged into the scrap after they lost 2-1 to Sevilla earlier on Sunday. Second-placed Sevilla’s win reduces the gap to Real Madrid back to six points.

✅ 13 games.
✅ 28 out of 39 points.
✅ Only 1 loss.

😍 The Xavi effect… 📈#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/xHvu0efJnN

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) February 27, 2022