Neymar scores twice off Messi's assist to fire Barca to 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao

Brazilian forward Neymar came off the bench to score twice from two exquisite assists from Argentine star striker Lionel Messi to give Barcelona a 2-0 home win against Athletic Bilbao and maintain their perfect start to La Liga.

Barca dominated at a sun-drenched Nou Camp but were unable to make a breakthrough until Neymar ran clear onto Messi's threaded pass and dinked the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz for a 79th-minute lead.

Five minutes later, Messi made one of his scintillating runs down the right and clipped the ball across to an unmarked Neymar, who had time to steady himself before side footing clinically into the bottom corner, The Dawn reported.

The Brazil captain is coming back from an ankle injury and new Barca coach Luis Enrique held him back until the 63rd minute, when he replaced teenage Spain forward Munir el Haddadi.

Barca, seeking to improve on last season's second-placed finish to Atletico Madrid, were the only team to win their opening two games and top the table with a perfect nine points and no goals conceded.

Bilbao have not won at the Nou Camp since the 2001-02 season and were looking good for a point until Neymar gave Barca some extra zip in attack, the report added.