La Liga 2025-26: Yamal shines as Barcelona beats Elche 3-1 to consolidate top spot

Barcelona recorded a 3-1 win over Elche to move four points clear at the top of La Liga on Saturday, with goals from Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford.

Hansi Flick’s side created a number of clear chances in an entertaining game, but the woodwork and somewhat loose finishing prevented them from securing a much bigger victory.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid, second, host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday with the aim of closing the gap to one point.

Elche, 12th, have impressed this season and created good chances at the Martinez Valero Stadium, but Barça were too strong for it, even if they did not take all their chances.

«We got three more points and we are still growing as a team, which is very important because we still haven’t reached our top level, I think,» Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong told Movistar.

«Normally we have players who finish very well. Maybe in a match you miss your chances, but the most important thing is that we generate them.»

Teenage star Yamal opened the scoring after just six minutes when Dani Olmo sent him through on goal.

The 18-year-old cool-headed goalkeeper Inaki Pena, a former Barca player, and slid home. Olmo came close to doubling Barca’s lead before tapping the top of the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Yamal struggled with a groin injury in the first half of the season, but has been back in top form in recent weeks.

Elche equalized with a well-executed move to get Alvaro Rodriguez behind Barca’s high line and he fired past Joan Garcia.

Torres should have restored the Catalans’ lead, but in a comical moment he hit the crossbar from point-blank range and immediately guided the rebound against the post.

The Spain international made amends by scoring at home after fine work from De Jong, who took out Pena and then found Torres, who had the simple task of finishing the match.

Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Torres all spurned good chances for more goals as Barca created danger at will, with Elche coach Eder Sarabia, a former Barca assistant under Quique Setien, sticking to his open style.

“Normally teams are deep against us, but Elche are a brave team, they play well and this way it is more fun for people to watch,” De Jong added.

Rashford was also guilty of missing a good chance after coming on for Raphinha at half-time and curling past the post on his way through.

The England winger, on loan from Manchester United, scored Barca’s third, his tenth of the season in all competitions, after Yamal’s cross was blocked and fell neatly to him.

Published on February 1, 2026