Barcelona’s Alcacer scores to spark win over Bilbao

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Coach Luis Enrique gave Paco Alcacer another chance, and Barcelona’s struggling striker came through with a goal.

The win moved the defending champions to within one point of Spanish league leader Real Madrid, which has played two fewer matches.

Alcacer used one touch of his left boot to drive Neymar’s pass under goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz’s glove and put Barcelona ahead in the 18th minute at Camp Nou.

Iraizoz was at fault five minutes before halftime when Messi doubled the lead.

The Basque ‘keeper could have done more to keep out the Argentine’s free kick taken from a tight angle, which slipped through his grasp.

Vidal struck on the break in the 67th for the right back’s second goal in just five league appearances this season.

Messi’s 31st goal in all competitions this campaign pulled him level with Suarez as the league’s joint top scorers with 16 each through 21 rounds.

Bilbao’s Raul Garcia hit the post just three minutes after kickoff and Inaki Williams had two good scoring opportunities as Gerard Pique found it hard to keep up with the winger.

Barcelona midfielder Rafina bled profusely from his face after colliding with Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen early in the second half.

Torres earned a penalty and then finished off Antoine Griezmann’s missed spot kick for this first goal.

Sergi Enrich scored two goals to lead Eibar, while Valencia finished with 10 men after Carlos Soler earned a direct red for apparently hitting an Eibar player just before halftime.

Heavy winds in northwestern Spain damaged Celta Vigo’s stadium and, due to safety concerns over potential falling debris, the league said Sunday’s match between Celta and Real Madrid can’t go ahead.