Barcelona bounced back from their El Classico disappointment by beating promoted Elche 3-1 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in La Liga on Sunday.
Hansi Flick's side showed their intent to set things right from the start, and La Blaugrana's proactive style saw Alejandro Balde latch onto a misplaced pass, dribble forward at pace and set up Lamine Yamal to open the scoring with just nine minutes on the clock.
The hosts then doubled their lead only two minutes later when Fermin Lopez pounced on a failed interception in Los Franjiverdes' backline before accelerating into the box and handing Ferran Torres a tap in.
However, former Barcelona youth player Rafa Mir halved the deficit shortly before half time with an excellent curler into the bottom-left corner, using Ronald Araujo as a guide for placement.
Mir then came close to levelling the game early in the second period but saw his effort sail over, only for Marcus Rashford to fire a third in for La Blaugrana with a fantastic strike on his weaker foot that bounced in off the crossbar.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Eder Sarabia, manager of Elche, greets Hansi Flick, manager of Barcelona on November 2, 2025
After losing 2-1 in the Classico on October 26 - and seeing Real Madrid beat Valencia 4-0 on Saturday - Barca found themselves eight points behind Los Blancos in the La Liga title race ahead of kick off, and it was crucial that they won.
Prior to this clash, Flick's men had lost two of their previous three league games, and given Elche's defensive robustness, the manager will be delighted that his team's offensive capabilities were enough to secure the victory.
As for Eder Sarabia's visitors, this match against title-chasing opposition will not define their season, and though they may have lost, they have made a strong start to life back in the top flight.
Los Franjiverdes are currently ninth with 14 points after 11 games, and given that they remain five points clear of the bottom three, the promoted side will be confident of surviving in 2025-26.
BARCELONA VS. ELCHE HIGHLIGHTS
9th min: Barcelona 1-0 Elche (Lamine Yamal)
Lamine Yamal scores to make it 1-0 to Barcelona on November 2, 2025
Elche struggle to play out from the back under pressure, and Balde intercepts a pass near the halfway line on the left flank before driving forward at pace, cutting inside and delivering a through ball to Yamal on the right, inside the box.
The forward then chops back onto his left foot and fires a powerful strike across the goalkeeper into the top-left corner.
11th min: Barcelona 2-0 Elche (Ferran Torres)
Ferran Torres pays tribute to the victims of the 2024 Spanish floods with his celebration on November 2, 2025
Eric Garcia lofts a pass from centre-back towards Rashford, and while the Elche backline intercept the ball, the defender slips, allowing Lopez to capitalise by stealing possession and bursting into the left side of the box, from where he provides a perfect cross for Torres to tap home six-yards out.
The Barca man pays tribute to the victims of the October 2024 Spanish floods with his celebration.
42nd min: Barcelona 2-1 Elche (Rafa Mir)
Rafa Mir of Elche celebrates scoring to make it 2-1 on November 2, 2025
Alvaro Nunez plays it out to Rafa Mir on the left flank, and the forward carries the ball into the box before squaring up Araujo and curling a precise finish into the bottom-right corner, giving Wojciech Szczesny no chance.
61st min: Barcelona 3-1 Elche (Marcus Rashford)
Marcus Rashford and Fermin Lopez of Barcelona celebrate making it 3-1 on November 2, 2025
Lopez picks out Rashford with a cross from the right flank, and the Manchester United loanee controls the ball before powering past Adria Pedrosa and finishing with venom off the crossbar from a tight angle on the left-hand side of the goal.
MAN OF THE MATCH - FERMIN LOPEZ
Barcelona's Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal celebrate on November 2, 2025
The Barca midfielder provided two assists for his teammates on Sunday, and his link up with his attacking teammates is a major asset for Flick's side.
Lopez dribbled into the box before crossing for Torres to score a tap in early on, and played a cross-field ball to Rashford for La Blaugrana's third around the hour mark.
BARCELONA VS. ELCHE MATCH STATS
Possession: Barcelona 49%-51% Elche
Shots: Barcelona 17-9 Elche
Shots on target: Barcelona 5-3 Elche
Corners: Barcelona 6-3 Elche
Fouls: Barcelona 12-16 Elche
BEST STATS
? | FermíNext LeveLópez
Most goal involvements for Barcelona across all competitions this season:
? 11 – Marcus Rashford (14 apps)
? 9 – Lamine Yamal (9 apps)
? 8 – Fermín López (9 apps)
Another POTM for the 22-year-old, as he continues a strong start to the season ?? pic.twitter.com/RAYovvaI26
— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) November 2, 2025
?️ | Everybody eats at Barça
For the first time since their 7–1 win over Valencia in January, every member of Barcelona's starting front four has recorded a goal involvement in a LaLiga match:
⚽️ Rashford
?️?️ López
⚽️ Yamal
⚽️ Torres
Return to winning ways. ?#BarcaElche pic.twitter.com/N5y2Xb9FrN
— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) November 2, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona will travel to take on Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Elche will host Real Sociedad in La Liga on Friday night.
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