European football as it happened

1. Barca move within one point of Real Madrid
2. Messi, Suarez & Neymar all net for Barca
3. French leaders Lyon and third-placed PSG draw 1-1

Corking goals, retaken penalties, deserved red cards....Europe's top matches had everything you want from a night of football.

Now it is time to say adios. Or au revoir. But make sure you return in midweek when Barcelona face Villarreal in the Cop del Rey semi-finals. See you then!

Messi magic

BBC

Spanish La Liga

Barcelona's recent run has been incredible. Nine straight wins in all competitions - including five on the bounce in La Liga - having scored 34 times in the process. Yes, 34 goals in nine matches!

Not only has that moved Barca within a point of their arch-rivals, it has wiped out Real's superior goal difference. Madrid, you may recall, were rampant in the first half of the season and must have had about 20 goals on Barca.

Andy West

Spanish football writer

Very, very good performance from Barca going forward, albeit too open at the back. Unimaginable from a month ago, incredible turnaround.

Get involved

Madan Roka: There will NEVER be another player on this planet equal or better than Messi.

FULL-TIME

It took 87 minutes for one of them to score and then there were two goals in seven minutes. Jardel was the man to snatch the draw and ensure Benfica take a four-point lead over Porto.

GOAL

Wow. It's all happening late on in Lisbon. League leaders Benfica have snatched a point with almost the last kick of the night.

FULL-TIME

All over in Lyon and the points are shared. Lyon take a two-point lead at the top over Marseille with PSG just behind them on goal difference.

Again it's PSG forcing the issue late-on in the second minute of stoppage time. They almost get in for a winner after Marquinhos's cross from the right towards Lavezzi is blocked and goes out for a corner.

French Ligue 1

Three added minutes at the the end of the 90 in Lyon.

GOAL

Late drama in the Portuguese capital. Home side Sporting have broken the deadlock and lead their city rivals through Jefferson's calm finish on his left-foot.

EPA

FULL-TIME

All over at San Memes! The home players are grateful to hear that final whistle, but the Barcelona players wouldn't have minded staying out for a little bit longer.

Barca cruise to victory in a thriller and move within one point of leaders Real Madrid.

Reuters

INJURY TIME

If you do anything tonight I urge you to watch a clip of Messi's brilliance in the build-up to Pedro's goal. The Argentine magician just holds on to the ball, holds on, holds on some more, then releases at exactly the right time. Quality.

As the clock ticks into injury-time, Barca almost bag a sixth. Neymar is clean through but sidefoots low at the home keeper. Two minutes of punishment left for the Athletic players...

French Ligue 1

Despite that Cavani substitution, it's PSG who continue to press forward in search of a winner and Lyon the team sitting back. Just under five minutes to go.

GOAL

This is like a training ground exercise for Barca now. The men decked out in florescent yellow pass the ball around at their leisure before going in for the kill.

Lionel Messi leads the Athletic defence on a merry dance, shimmying across the edge of the penalty box and back, before threading a sublime throughball to Sergio Busquets. He squares to Pedro, who replaced Luis Suarez earlier, and he taps in. Wonderful team goal.

SUBSTITUTION

PSG take off Edison Cavani and on comes former Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye for the last 10 minutes. Are Laurent Blanc's side going to shut up shop and take a point then?

FULL-TIME

All over at the San Siro and Inter have the points thanks to two from Mauro Icardi and Fredy Guarin's header in the first-half.

SUBSTITUTION

AP

A few moments ago we saw Barca skipper Xavi replaced and the Spanish World Cup winner was even clapped off by the home fans.

Now it is time for Luis Suarez to depart. What sort of reception will he receive? You're right - jeers, whistles and Spanish insults. But the Uruguayan won't care because he has impressed as Barca look certain to claim a vital three points.

Little under 10 minutes to go...

French Ligue 1

Into the last 15 minutes. Can one of these two grab a winner? It's been a cracking game so far.

GOAL

Second goal of the night for Mauro Icardi and the points are safe for Inter. Fredy Guarin - scorer of their first - turns provider from the right and Icardi heads home from five yards out.

RED CARD FOR ATHLETIC

This game has had everything! Now we have a red card as Athletic defender Xabier Etxeita walks for a wild lunge on Luis Suarez. The home fans are not happy, whistling the Barca scorer for his part in the incident. But Etxeita's challenge was high, ugly and a definite red card.

Spanish La Liga

Six minutes without a goal in Bilbao. Standards are slipping...

Right on cue, we almost have another. Barca left-back Jordi Alba storms into the Athletic penalty box (no, I'm not sure what he is doing that far forward either) to meet substitute Adriano's chipped cross. But it flashes past the right-hand post.

GOAL

AFP

Take two from the spot for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and this time he sends Lopes the wrong way and finds the top left-hand corner of the net. The referee had ordered a retake after spotting Anthony Lopes had crept a couple of yards off his line, plus there were at least six players in the box when the first one was struck.

MISSED PENALTY

Incredible. Zlatan Ibrahimovic takes the spot kick for PSG and Lopes saves. But, wait a sec? The referee wants a retake!

PENALTY

Penalty to PSG. Maxwell's ball across from the left and Lyon defender Lindsay Rose dives in and trips Marco Verratti. No hesitation from the referee in awarding the spot kick.

French Ligue 1

Maxwell what were you doing? Another great surge forward from PSG as Ibrahimovic, Matuidi and Cavani all combine. The ball comes to Maxwell on the left, all he needs to do is square it to the middle, but he shanks it out for a goal kick. Just under 25 minutes left.

GOAL

Are you keeping up with this? My fingers can't. Athletic Bilbao net through top scorer Aduriz, who plants in his 14th of the season to give the home fans something else to cheer.

That's four goals in about seven minutes at San Mames. It would take you longer to rustle up some beans on toast.

French Ligue 1

Edison Cavani again for PSG. He must score as he's clean through on a one-on-one. But, you know the drill, Anthony Lopes is there to block his shot as he races off the line.

GOAL

Unbelievable. Any hope that Athletic had of making a dramatic comeback has quickly evaporated. Lionel Messi picks out Neymar who buries Barca's fourth. Game over - again.

AFP

French Ligue 1

It's all PSG this half and this time Edison Cavani is the man to force a save from Anthony Lopes. Blaise Matuidi puts a cross in from the left and Cavani tries to guide it home only to find the hands of Lopes. An hour gone.

AFP

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

L Higgins: Lopez makes another world class save. Lyon need to stop those crosses coming in. PSG will punish them warning signs are there.

GOAL

When is the most vulnerable time to concede? Right after you've just scored. And Athletic have forgotten that as they allow Luis Suarez to wriggle clear in the right channel to fire a low cross down the corridor of uncertainty.

Lionel Messi lurks at the far post to divert the ball back into the six-yard box - and Oscar De Marcos chests into his own goal. Nightmare.

Join the debate at #bbceurofooty

French football journalist Julien Laurens on Twitter: Lopes is having the game of his life!!!

GOAL

Now the home fans have found their voices! Athletic have improved after the break and halve the deficit through shaven-headed midfielder Mikel Rico. He keeps his cool to slot home a rebound after Claudio Bravo made the initial save. Game on!

That sight of the Barca goal lifts San Mames, which is known as one of the loudest stadiums in La Liga. Not tonight though. Barca have played the role of a stern librarian, keeping the home fans quiet.

GREAT SAVE!

PSG go close again and it's another fine save from Anthony Lopes from a Zlatan Ibrahimovic header. The visitors have come out strong this half and this time Lopes has to get down low and push the ball away from goal as Ibrahimovic's header bounces down just in front of his leap to the left.

GOAL

Inter have doubled their lead in the San Siro. Mauro Icardi has his 12th goal of the season as he drills a right-foot shot into the bottom corner after a low cross in from the right.

AP

Spanish La Liga

Better from Athletic as they search for a foothold in this game. But attacking midfielder Unai Lopez should hit the target here. The teenager pops up at the far post in acres of space but rather lazily sidefoots a cross wide of goal.

GREAT SAVE!

Anthony Lopes leaps to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic an equaliser for PSG from a header. The Swede was unmarked six yards out, but Lopes was there with an outstretched left-hand to claw it away.

PENALTY APPEAL

Luis Suarez gestures quizzically at referee Antonio Mateu - he thinks Lionel Messi has been bundled over in the Athletic six-yard box. Not for me. Messi desperately tries to meet Suarez's low ball across goal at the far post, but is shoulder barged out of the way by home defender Aymeric Laporte.

French Ligue 1

Despite that incredible stat just then from Opta Jean, it's worth remembering if PSG can turn this around and get an away win, they will go top tonight by a point over Lyon.

Spanish La Liga

Athletic, who you might remember terrorised Manchester United in the Europa League a few years ago, are punching well below their weight this season. But if the 13th-placed side manage to snaffle an early second-half goal, then it might pile the pressure on Barca.

Top scorer Aduriz has slugged it out with marker Gerard Pique all evening, but comes off second best as the Barca centre-back outmuscles him in the penalty area.

Join the debate at #bbceurofooty

Opta Jean on Twitter: 1981 - @OL haven't lost at home in the top-flight after having been ahead at half-time since May 1981. Ages.

KICK-OFF

Second-half is off and running in Lyon. As it stands, the home side will take a four-point lead at the top over Marseille.

AFP

KICK-OFF

The Spanish referee does a quick headcount, gets the thumbs up from each keeper and then blows his whistle. And that means the second half has begun.

Andy West

Spanish football writer

Messi is playing like a god tonight. And not one of our modern gods, all mean and vengeful. Like a strong and noble Greek god. Apollo maybe.

Italian Serie A

AP

While the players in Bilbao and Lyon are enjoying a half-time orange, those lads at the San Siro are back out on the field and raring to go.

Inter boss Roberto Mancini will be pleased that his 12th-placed side are 1-0 ahead against a Palermo team flying high in Serie A.

Colombia midfielder Fredy Guarin did the business for the Nerazzurri with a first-half header.

Stalemate in Lisbon

Portuguese Primeira Liga

No goals to report from Portugal sadly in the Lisbon derby at half-time.

Join the debate at #bbceurofooty

Tom Holmes: Barca about to go one point behind Madrid. Crisis, what crisis?

Compare your wages to Messi

Hands up if you want some half-time fun? Excellent, you're in the right place.

BBC

You don't need to be told that global football stars earn some of the highest wages in the world.

But you may not know how many minutes it takes Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez to pocket your annual salary. Or that it would take you about 438 years to become as rich as the Barcelona stars.

Use our calculator - part of the BBC's A Richer World season - to find out how you compare with the world's top footballers. And then weep until the second halves kick off.

HALF-TIME

Referee Clement Turpin blows his whistle and that's the interval in Lyon.

French Ligue 1

Crowd certainly making themselves heard at the Stade de Gerland. Every time PSG press forward in attack, there's a shrill of whistles, plus a huge amount of what looks like torn up newspaper across the pitch for them to contend with. Two minutes left in the first-half.

HALF-TIME

Referee Antonio Mateu puts Athletic out of their misery pretty sharpish, playing minimal stoppage time before tooting his half-time whistle.

Lionel Messi manages a little smirk as he walks off back to the tunnel, and so he should. Barcelona can be happy with an easy 45-minute shift as they look set to move within a point of leaders Real Madrid.

Spanish La Liga

Barcelona are purring. Neat build-up play between Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar wins another corner for the away side. But Athletic clear the danger. They will be keen to hear the half-time whistle...

French Ligue 1

Less than 10 minutes left before half-time. Do PSG have a response to that goal from N'Jie? They haven't seen a great deal of the ball and that missed chance from David Luiz when it was goalless is already proving costly.

EPA

Stat attack

Opta Jean on Twitter: Lyon have converted their first shot on target of the game v PSG. Opportunist.

Spanish La Liga

Barcelona, as Barcelona do, are completely hogging the ball. They have enjoyed almost 70% of possession in Bilbao, which is rare for opposing teams. And they have made that count with a couple of goals...

Gary Lineker

BBC Sport

Messi's goal for Barca tonight means he's scored even more goals in 2015 (8) than even Harry Kane (7).

HITS THE WOODWORK

It goes almost without saying, but Athletic must score the next goal if they want anything from this match. And they are within the width of a white-coated piece of metal of doing just that.

A wayward header by Gerard Pique causes panic in the Barcelona defence, Athletic top scorer Aduriz leaping highest to nod against Claudio Bravo's left-hand post.

GOAL

AFP

Great move from Lyon, who take the lead after a fine bit of work. Clinton N'Jie is on the end of a cracking bit of interplay around the PSG defence and he finishes emphatically on the half-volley past Salvatore Sirigu in the PSG goal after a clever ball in by Nabil Fekir.

Should be 3-0 to Barcelona! Veteran skipper Xavi slaloms (yes, slaloms) past the Athletic keeper after bursting into the home box, but is beaten by the angle as he looks to tuck in.

Neymar meets his captain's cross with a header which is cleared off the line by a home defender. Then, Luis Suarez pounces on a loose ball but sees his shot blocked by a red and white striped shirt too. Desperate times call for desperate defending.

CLOSE!

French Ligue 1

David Luiz has a gift of a chance to score for PSG. Corner in from the right which Edison Cavani flicks-on at the near post and the unmarked former Chelsea man only has to hit the target to put his side ahead. Somehow he heads wide from just four yards out.

GOAL

Getty Images

Now there is silence inside San Mames. Luis Suarez sweeps in a brilliant second as Barcelona put daylight between themselves and the home side.

This is vintage Suarez. The Uruguayan starts the move just inside the Athletic half, surging forward to pick out Lionel Messi in the right channel, before the Argentina captain pulls the ball back to the edge of the area. And there waits Suarez to thump into the far corner.

GREAT SAVE!

Moments after Barca keeper Claudio Bravo pulls a save right out of the top drawer, his opposite number goes to that special cupboard where the special things are kept.

Luis Suarez thinks he has scored. The San Memes crowd think he has scored. But Atheltic keeper Iraizoz has other ideas, somehow punching the Uruguayan's header over his cross bar. Brilliant.

French Ligue 1

AFP

Engaging stuff so far in the opening 20 minutes of this one, but no goals. Both sides have had a clear cut chance to open the scores and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also had a strike ruled out for offside.

GREAT SAVE!

That Barcelona opener has virtually silenced the Athletic fans - but they almost have an equaliser to cheer. Bravo from, er, Claudio Bravo as the Barca keeper springs low to his left to push out a lunging toe-poke from Athletic top scorer Aduriz.

French Ligue 1

Straight after Corentin Tolisso hit the post for Lyon, Edison Cavani goes down the other end of the field and has a great chance for PSG. Ibrahimovic plays him in on the edge of the area and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes stands tall to save from close-range.

GOAL

Reuters

When Lionel Messi stands over a free-kick there is always danger for an opposition keeper. But this is not one of the Argentine magician's finest.

However, Messi's left-foot curler hits the Athletic wall and takes a massive deflection to squirm under the grasp of keeper Iraizoz.

Big goal for second-placed Barca, who are already on course to move within a point of leaders Real Madrid.

HITS THE WOODWORK

French Ligue 1

Great chance for Lyon to open the scoring, but the post denies Corentin Tolisso a cracking strike on his right-foot and spares PSG's blushes.

Spanish La Liga

Reuters

Wonder if Athletic's turnstile operators are handing out free sunglasses to their fans? They should be. Barca's florescent yellow kit is illuminating the dark Bilbao sky.

However, their football is not so bright. Athletic are refusing to allow Barca to find their rhythm.

DISALLOWED GOAL

French Ligue 1

The ball is in the net at the Stade de Gerland. It's that man Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Paris St-Germain. But, the flag is up and replays show he strayed just a yard offside after a ball over the top. Neat finish though on the half-volley.

Italian Serie A

Over at the San Siro, Inter have the lead against Palermo through Fredy Guarin's header on 16 minutes from a corner. Roberto Mancini, whose return to Inter has not pulled up any trees, will be happy.

Spanish La Liga

The home side's tactics are clear - press the life out of Barcelona in these early exchanges. Athletic's forward line chase down left-back Jordi Alba to force a corner. And top scorer Aduriz is allowed space to volley over the Barca bar from the right-wing set-piece. Early warning.

Join the debate at #bbceurofooty

L Higgins: PSG need to win. It will be a huge psychological advantage to Lyon in their title push, not to mention the 5 point gap

Spanish La Liga

Whistles greet every Barcelona touch as the away side enjoy plenty of early possession. Keeper Claudio Bravo makes an uncertain clearance from Gerard Pique's bobbling backpass. The San Mames crowd 'ooh' and 'aah', but the Chilean scrambles clear.

KICK-OFF

Under way at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon a bit behind schedule due to a minute's applause in honour of Alain Thiry, former Lyon player who passed away last month, aged 71.

KICK-OFF

Game on! The partisan Basque crowd are raucous as the action begins. Barcelona know what they must do here - win.

Reuters

Barcelona, decked out in bright yellow, are going through their final looseners in Bilbao. And the two sets of players are shaking hands in Lyon. Almost show-time.

French Ligue 1

AFP

Lyon sit a point clear of second-placed Marseille in Ligue 1, who were held to a 1-1 draw against Rennes on Saturday.

Fournier's side are on an eight-match unbeaten run, but they know a slip up against defending champions PSG tonight will see the Parisians overhaul them at the summit.

Adam Williams-Online

Spanish La Liga

How have Barcelona moved back within striking distance of their arch-rivals Real Madrid? With four league wins on the bounce and watching Los Blancos suffer their heaviest defeat in over four years. That's how.

Reigning champions Atletico Madrid battered their neighbours yesterday in a 4-0 derby win to blow the Spanish title race wide open.

But Atletico were not lending a hand to Barcelona. Nope, Diego Simeone's troops were reigniting their own hopes of retaining La Liga, moving level with the Catalan club.

Trouble in the Basque Country?

Of course, Barcelona's recent record in the Basque Country has not been great either. The Catalan club lost in Bilbao last season - three points which ultimately cost them the Spanish title - and were also sent packing at Athletic's great rivals Real Sociedad last month.

Get involved

John McEnerney: Athletic usually give Barcelona a good run for the money at home, the Barca defence is weak and should concede at least one tonight. Score draw.

Elsewhere in Europe

Keeping up the theme of a weekend packed with big derbies, Portugal's capital city Lisbon is awash with frenzied local rivalry. Two giants go head-to-head at the Estadio José Alvalade as Sporting host leaders Benfica, who have three-point lead over second-placed Porto. Sporting are seven points adrift in third, so the hosts are desperate for all three points.

And they've just kicked-off across the Mediterranean in Italy. Roberto Mancini's Inter Milan, who are down in 13th, host eighth-placed Palermo at the San Siro. It is goalless after the opening moments.

Line-ups

French Ligue 1

Lyon: Lopes, Bedimo, Jallet, Rose, Umtiti, Tolisso, Gonalons, Ferri, Gourcuff, Fekir, Njie.

Paris St-Germain: Sirigu, Marquinhos, Maxwell, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Thiago Motta, Verratti, Matuidi, Lucas, Ibrahimovic, Cavani.

French Ligue 1

AFP

Explaining his claims about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's linguistic choice of insults for referees, Lyon boss Hubert Fournier added: "All the referees in this league get insulted by this person [Ibrahimovic]."

"The referees are not bilingual or trilingual, so they don't understand. In a way, it's better to speak Italian or English to insult referees."

What you say?

French Ligue 1

Third meets first at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon this evening and maybe referee Clement Turpin will have his English phrasebook as well as his red and yellow cards in his pocket?

AFP

That's after claims by Lyon coach Hubert Fournier that PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic abuses French referees in either English or Italian so they can't understand him. Excusez-moi?

Elsewhere around Europe

While most of our focus will centre on the match in Spain, there are also important matches in France, Italy and Portugal tonight.

And that means we will be dashing around the continent over the next few hours, clocking up more miles than a low budget airline.

Line-ups

Spanish La Liga

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz, De Marcos, Balenziaga, Etxeita, Laporte, San Jose, Mikel Rico, Unai Lopez, Susaeta, Aduriz, Muniain. Subs: Aurtenetxe, Inaki Williams, Gurpegi, Benat, Ager Aketxe, Ibai, Iago.

Barcelona: Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Jordi Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Xavi, Suarez, Messi, Neymar. Subs: Ter Stegen, Pedro, Iniesta, Rafinha, Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano.

Spanish La Liga

EPA

Hola amigos! Crisis, huh? What crisis? That is what may have been going through Luis Enrique's mind as he was gasping for breath in the middle of the Messi maelstrom last month.

Whether the Argentina maestro rates his boss or not is something that those of us outside of the Barcelona dressing room are never likely to know. Until, perhaps, Messi releases his 14th autobiography in the year 2034 at the grand old age of 46.

But what we do know today is that Luis Enrique and his team have renewed hope in the Spanish title race. Victory in the Basque Country at mid-table Athletic Bilbao will move them within one point of leaders Real Madrid...

'Mes que un club' - which translates as 'more than a club' - is the long-established motto of Barcelona. And often it is more than a football club - more, in fact, like a real-life soap opera.

So when the iconic Messi mischievously flirted with Chelsea, the whole world gasped in the sort of shock that might greet a particularly dramatic Eastenders 'duh-duh' moment.

But the episode quickly blew over, with life seemingly back to normal. Messi is said to be happy, Barcelona are back winning - and a La Liga title is back within their sights.

Getty Images

A dark cloud hovered over FC Barcelona this time last month. But it was nothing to do with miserable weather deluging the Catalonia capital.

Nope, several storms were brewing on the ground - and threatening to submerge the 22-time Spanish champions.

Performances on the pitch were not matching the standards of old as fans feared another trophyless season. A transfer ban stopping them signing players until 2016 was upheld. And in-fighting between the boardroom and club members led to early elections.

To cap it all, there was even talk that Lionel Messi wanted to leave...