FC Barcelona bounced back in style on Sunday with a 3-1 win over Elche CF at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, reclaiming second place in La Liga and closing the gap to the leaders to five points.
Barcelona took early control through two quick goals. Eighteen-year-old Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the ninth minute, capitalising on a defensive error. Two minutes later, Ferran Torres doubled the advantage after Elche’s right-back slipped, allowing Barcelona to break forward with pace.
Elche responded just before half-time when Rafa Mir converted a swift counterattack to reduce the deficit to 2-1, giving the visitors hope heading into the break.
However, Barcelona restored their dominance in the 61st minute as Marcus Rashford curled in a fine finish to seal the victory.
The Catalan side controlled the closing stages, maintaining composure to secure all three points.
“It was very important to start strong and intense. From there, we could take the game where we wanted it to go,” Ferran Torres told reporters after the match.
The result strengthened Barcelona’s challenge for the title, though they remain behind arch-rivals Real Madrid in the standings. Elche, meanwhile, will rue early defensive lapses that proved decisive.
