Ronaldinho double helps Barca to 3-1 win

MADRID, Sep 2 (Reuters) Two goals from Ronaldinho set Barcelona on their way to a 3-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao in the Primera Liga today.

The Brazilian forward scored from a free kick and a penalty in the first half, while Yaya Toure struck a controversial third to settle the result, after Markel Susaeta had pulled one back for the visitors.

Elsewhere, Valencia recovered from their heavy opening day defeat by Villarreal to scramble a 2-1 win at promoted Almeria.

Real Betis scored two late goals to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Espanyol, and Manu del Moral earned 10-man Getafe a 1-1 home draw against Recreativo Huelva with a stoppage-time header.

Later today, champions Real Madrid visit Villarreal and Atletico Madrid host Real Mallorca in the Calderon.

Sevilla's game away to Osasuna has been postponed as they face AEK Athens in their rearranged Champions League third qualifying round, second leg in Greece tomorrow.

The change in fixtures was caused by the death of Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta last Tuesday. A minute's silence was held at the start of all evening's games today.

With Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o sidelined due to a thigh injury, France striker Thierry Henry had a place in Barca's starting line up at the Nou Camp, but it was a familiar figure who opened the scoring.

The game was only eight minutes old when Ronaldinho drilled a free-kick into the top corner.

It was a monologue of Barca possession until Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz tripped Henry as he raced into the area onto a return pass from Ronaldinho in the 35th minute.

Barca's top scorer from last season slotted home the penalty, and it was only Iraizoz's knees that denied Ronaldinho a hat-trick before break.

Henry hit the post after the restart but Bilbao struck back when Victor Valdes' punch from a free kick was volleyed into the empty net by Susaeta in the 70th minute.

Ivory Coast midfielder Toure made it 3-1 two minutes later when his rising shot from the edge of the area hit the crossbar, bounced down and out, and was signalled as a goal by the linesman amidst strong protests from the visitors.

Television replays showed the ball bounce on the line.

Red cards were handed out in the closing stages to Barca defender Rafael Marquez and Bilbao defender Koikili.

Reuters BJR VP0140