Barcelona Stars Shine Bright as Champions Crush Elche in Stunning Comeback Performance

Barcelona secured a 3–1 victory over Elche in a composed display to maintain their chase of Real Madrid at the summit of the La Liga table.

Following a disappointing showing in El Clásico that resulted in Barcelona's first defeat to their arch-rivals under Hansi Flick's management, the Catalans needed to secure maximum points against Elche.

Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres found the net within the opening 15 minutes to spark Barcelona's triumph. Rafa Mir responded for the away side just before the interval, but a second-half strike from Marcus Rashford enabled the Blaugranas to comfortably see out the victory.

While it wasn't a spectacular performance, the outcome is what counts and it should boost morale in the La Liga champions' camp before their European journey to Belgium to meet Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Barcelona Player Ratings vs. Elche (4-2-3-1)

*Ratings courtesy of FotMob*

GK: Wojciech Szczęsny—7.2: The experienced Polish keeper faced minimal pressure but made a crucial stop in the second period to preserve Barça's two-goal cushion. He displayed composure and precision when leaving his line to act as a sweeper.

RB: Jules Koundé—7.3: Koundé enjoyed a relatively quiet evening but performed admirably whenever called upon defensively.

CB: Ronald Araújo—7.2: Barcelona's skipper could have been more aggressive in denying Mir the space to shoot for Elche's goal. Apart from that lapse, it was a reliable display from the Uruguayan.

CB: Eric García—7.2: Following a subpar performance in El Clásico, García responded with a robust defensive showing, neutralizing André Silva throughout the match.

LB: Alejandro Balde—7.6: One of Balde's finest performances this campaign. He consistently pushed forward with purpose until his replacement and recorded his maiden assist of the season.

CM: Marc Casadó—6.2: Casadó effectively anchored Barcelona's midfield and provided stability to Flick's formation.

CM: Frenkie de Jong—7.9: Operating in Pedri's position, the Dutch midfielder excelled, utilizing his ball-carrying abilities to consistently initiate attacks. Among the standout performers on the evening.

RW: Lamine Yamal—7.9: Barcelona's number 10 netted his first open-play goal of the campaign at home. Despite being relatively subdued, with Barça's offensive play favoring the left flank, he appeared threatening when in possession.

AM: Fermín López—8.5: López maintained his exceptional form. He was central to Barcelona's most threatening moves throughout and departed after contributing two assists.

LW: Marcus Rashford—7.9: The English winger squandered several chances but delivered a superb goal.

ST: Ferran Torres—8.2: Torres enjoyed a productive first half, finding the net and pressing relentlessly to create dangerous turnovers. His impact diminished considerably after the restart.

Unused substitutes: Diego Kochen (GK), Eder Aller (GK), Xavi Espart, Marc Bernal, Pau Cubarsí.

Elche (4-3-3)

Starting XI: Iñaki Peña; Álvaro Núñez, David Affengruber, Pedro Bigas, Adrià Pedrosa; Martim Neto, Marc Aguado, Aleix Febas; Germán Valera, André Silva, Rafa Mir.

Substitutions made: Rodrigo Mendoza, Yago Santiago, Héctor Fort, John Donald.

Player of the Match: Fermín López

Barcelona 3–1 Elche—Match Report from Montjuic

Injury concerns continue to affect Flick's squad selection. The encounter with Elche represented the first occasion since mid-January that Pedri was absent from Barcelona's starting lineup. Raphinha and Joan García were additional regular starters unavailable due to fitness issues.

From the opening whistle, the Catalans appeared like a team intent on breaking their recent poor run. The home side needed just nine minutes to break the deadlock, as Balde embarked on one of his characteristic forward runs to assist Yamal, who coolly shifted inside and placed his effort into the far corner for his first open-play strike since August.

LAMINE YAMAL CUTS IT BACK WITH HIS LEFT FOOT AND SLOTS IT HOME 🏠 pic.twitter.com/5CltakpU3B

Three minutes afterward, Barcelona extended their lead. Fermín López capitalized on a wayward clearance and surged down the left before delivering a precise cross that Ferran Torres simply converted to register his fifth league strike of the campaign.

Barcelona maintained their dominance but struggled to create clear-cut scoring chances. Just before the interval, Elche reduced the deficit through Rafa Mir. The Spanish forward broke free on a counter-attack and Ronald Araújo failed to narrow the gap, enabling Mir to find the bottom corner and give the visitors hope.

Torres had an opportunity to restore Barcelona's two-goal margin before halftime, but Barça loanee Iñaki Peña thwarted him with an outstanding point-blank save.

Barcelona continued to waste opportunities after the restart, with Marcus Rashford spurning a golden chance with only Peña to beat. Elche almost leveled in the 55th minute, with a curled effort from Mir striking the woodwork.

Eventually Rashford's persistence was rewarded. The English forward received an excellent pass from Fermín, escaped his marker and unleashed a weak-foot thunderbolt that deflected off the crossbar and into the net to score his first home league goal in Barcelona colors, a day after celebrating his 28th birthday.

MARCUS RASHFORD WHAT A FINISH ‼️ pic.twitter.com/hK0CwOBEPa

Rashford's strike brought tranquility to the hosts. Barcelona managed the final 20 minutes effectively and Flick was able to introduce Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski, with the previously sidelined duo making their first appearances since the October international window.

The Catalans sailed to victory and claimed a vital three points that elevated them to second place in the table, five points behind leaders Real Madrid. Next up, a Champions League fixture away to Club Brugge on Wednesday.

Barcelona vs. Elche Halftime Statistics

Barcelona vs. Elche Full Time Statistics