Rodri elated with Barca debut in win over Athletic Bilbao

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) — Raphinha and Fermin Lopez goals helped Spanish champions Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Thursday in La Liga to continue their perfect start to the season.

The Catalan giants eased to a solid victory over their Basque visitors in their first game of the season at the partially-rebuilt Camp Nou, with new arrival Rodri coming on for his Barca debut.

Raphinha rounded the goalkeeper and slid home in the 37th minute to give Barca the lead and Lopez netted after 82 minutes to secure the points, with the Catalans missing several chances for more goals and twice hitting the woodwork.