Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford were on target as Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Elche in La Liga on Sunday, putting last weekend’s El Clasico disappointment firmly behind them.
Ferran Torres also found the net for the Catalan giants, who climbed back to second place in the league, five points behind leaders Real Madrid.
Despite their defensive frailties and ongoing injury woes, Hansi Flick’s men showed determination at the Olympic Stadium, producing a much-improved performance.
Barca, however, remain shaky at the back — they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive league games. Elche forward Rafa Mir made the most of those lapses, scoring once and hitting the woodwork twice in a spirited display for the visitors.
The reigning champions were without Pedri, Gavi, and Joan Garcia, but welcomed back Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo from injury — both featuring as substitutes.
Teen sensation Yamal, who struggled in last week’s defeat to Real Madrid after returning from a groin injury, looked far sharper this time around. His early goal set the tone, coming in the 9th minute after Alejandro Balde’s driving run and perfectly timed pass. Yamal controlled calmly before curling a clinical finish past former Barca goalkeeper Inaki Peña, who was his teammate last season.
Just three minutes later, Ferran Torres made it 2-0, tapping home after Fermin Lopez burst down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross. Torres celebrated by revealing a t-shirt paying tribute to Valencia, his home region, marking one year since the devastating floods that hit Spain’s east coast.
Elche refused to fold, with Rafa Mir pulling one back and threatening an equaliser, but substitute Marcus Rashford sealed the points late in the second half with a composed finish, his first goal since returning from injury.
The win restores confidence for Flick’s men ahead of their upcoming Champions League fixture, as Barcelona aim to close the gap on Real Madrid in the title race.
