Lionel Messi and Paulinho scored the goals as Barcelona recorded a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Saturday night.

The victory at San Mames has seen the Catalan giants move four points clear of second-placed Valencia in the table. Real Madrid, meanwhile, are now eight points off the league leaders ahead of their trip to Girona on Sunday afternoon.

Barcelona's first sight of the Bilbao goal came in the fifth minute when Messi unleashed one from distance, but Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was on hand to make the save.

The hosts were next to come close in the 17th minute when the lively Inaki Williams found the head of Aritz Aduriz from a wide position, but the experienced striker could only head at Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Two minutes later, it was Aduriz versus Ter Stegen once again, and the Barcelona goalkeeper got down low to keep out the Spain international's effort, which really should have found the back of the net.

Messi then had a golden chance in the 21st minute after dancing past a host of challenges before rounding Kepa, but the Argentine hit the outside of the post from close range.

The Argentine was not to be denied in the 36th minute, however, as he converted a low Jordi Alba cross to make it 12 league goals for the season.

Bilbao almost hit back early in the second period when Raul Garcia rose highest inside the Barcelona penalty box, but the former Atletico Madrid midfielder saw his header crash off the crossbar.

Williams was next to come close for the home team, testing Ter Stegen with a low attempt 25 minutes from time.

The end-to-end nature of the contest continued into the latter stages as Bilbao poured players forward in the hope of snatching an equaliser, but Ter Stegen kept out another Aduriz header five minutes from time.

Bilbao continued to press into stoppage time, but Barcelona grabbed their second in the 92nd minute when Paulinho finished from close range after Kepa had saved from Luis Suarez.