Barcelona returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 3–1 victory over Elche at the Camp Nou, recovering from last weekend’s Clasico defeat to Real Madrid. Goals from Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford secured the win, lifting the Catalan side back to second place in La Liga, five points behind the leaders.
Despite the scoreline, defensive frailties continued to plague Hansi Flick’s side, who have now failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive league matches. Elche, coached by former Barcelona assistant Eder Sarabia, posed a genuine threat and found the net through Rafa Mir, who also struck the woodwork twice.
Barcelona were without key players Pedri, Gavi, and Joan Garcia due to injury, but welcomed back Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo from recent absences. Teenage winger Yamal, subdued in the Clasico after recovering from a groin issue, looked sharper and more confident against Elche.
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The hosts opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Alejandro Balde surged forward and picked out Yamal in the box. The 17-year-old took a touch and curled a precise finish past former teammate Inaki Pena.
Just three minutes later, Ferran Torres doubled the lead, converting a pinpoint cross from Fermin Lopez. Torres marked the goal by unveiling a t-shirt tribute to his native Valencia, commemorating the victims of last year’s devastating floods.
Barcelona continued to press, with Lopez and Rashford narrowly missing the target and Pena denying Torres with a fine save. Elche pulled one back before halftime when Mir, played onside from his own half, beat Ronald Araujo and Wojciech Szczesny with a composed finish.
Torres nearly added a second before the break, but Pena again came to Elche’s rescue with a spectacular stop.
The win offers Barcelona a much-needed morale boost amid an ongoing injury crisis and defensive instability. With key players returning and the attack showing renewed sharpness, Flick will hope to build momentum heading into the next round of fixtures.