Yamal wins superstars' battle as Barca beat Bilbao

Lamine Yamal has got the better of fellow Spain superstar Nico Williams when Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in the dazzling pair's first matchup since leading their nation to European Championship glory.

Yamal opened the scoring before Polish great Robert Lewandowski provided the second goal to give Barcelona two wins in two games to start the Spanish league season on Saturday.

The Barcelona teenager struck in the 24th minute with a curling shot that was reminiscent of Lionel Messi's favorite moves.

Yamal controlled a deflected ball, took two touches to skirt along the edge of the box before he found the angle to unleash a left-footed shot. The ball found the net after a deflection off Athletic player Inigo Lekue.

Oihan Sancet equalised in the 42nd minute from the penalty spot after Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi brought down Alejandro Berenguer.

But Barcelona never let Williams get going in attack and kept up the pressure until Lewandowski reestablished the advantage.

The Poland striker had already headed off the bar when he was set up by a passing move involving Raphinha and Pedri to score in the 75th.

Lewandowski had also netted a brace in Barcelona's 2-1 win at Valencia in last week's Spanish league opener.

Hansi Flick, making his home debut as Barcelona's new coach, gave a second straight start to midfielder Marc Bernal, who along with Yamal and Cubarsi is only 17.

Barcelona were rumoured to be interested in trying to sign 22-year-old Williams from the Basque club in this transfer window.

Athletic used their third-string goalkeeper Alex Padilla from their youth squad, after minor injuries to Spain goalie Unai Simon and backup Julen Agirrezabala.

The two teams provided seven members of Spain's Euro 2024 squad which won the continental title last month.