FC Barcelona picked up a 3-1 away win over Elche CF in La Liga on January 31, 2026, at the Estadio Martínez Valero. Hansi Flick’s team stayed in control for long spells and moved four points clear at the top, at least for now. The scoreline could have been bigger, but Barça left too many chances on the table.
Barcelona started fast and set the tone right away. Lamine Yamal made it 1-0 in the 6th minute with a sharp solo run. Dani Olmo won the ball back and sent a long pass into space. Yamal broke down the left, went past former Barça goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, and finished for his 13th goal of the season. He later took MVP after a nonstop night of pace, skill, and smart passes.
Elche didn’t have much of the ball, but they stayed alive and hit back in the 29th minute. Álvaro Rodríguez made it 1-1 with a calm finish, lifting the home crowd and punishing Barça for not being more ruthless.
Barça answered before the break. In the 40th minute, Ferran Torres put them back in front from the middle of the box, set up by Frenkie de Jong. The goal capped another stretch where Barcelona piled on pressure but still missed several clear looks. By the final whistle, reports said their expected goals (xG) were close to 7.0.
The second half looked a lot like the first. Barcelona kept creating high-quality chances, and Elche hung on longer than they should have. Marcus Rashford, on at halftime for Raphinha, gave Barça breathing room in the 72nd minute. Yamal kept a play alive on the right, and the ball worked across to Rashford, who smashed in from close range. It was his second Barcelona goal in just a few days.
Elche had one more big moment late on when Adam Boayar got a clean look, but he couldn’t take it. Barcelona closed the match out without much trouble, even if the finishing stayed messy.
The win underlines Barcelona’s attacking output under Flick, with Yamal growing into a key figure, Torres staying dependable, and Rashford adding punch off the bench. It also keeps the pressure on the rest of the title chase.
Barcelona Match Statistics and Key Performers
| Statistic | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | Yamal (6′), Torres (40′), Rashford (72′) |
| Assists | Key contributors: Yamal (1), De Jong (1) | Yamal helped create Rashford’s goal |
| Expected Goals (xG) | ~6.5-7.0 | Huge total for only 3 goals |
| Possession | ~49% | Elche had slightly more |
| Shots / On Target | High volume | Many big chances were missed |
| Key Players | Lamine Yamal (MVP, 9-10 rating), Frenkie de Jong (8.5-9), Marcus Rashford (impact sub) | Strong mix of youth and experience |
Elche CF Match Statistics and Key Performers
| Statistic | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | Álvaro Rodríguez (29′) |
| Assists | N/A | Built through a team move |
| Possession | ~51% | Unusual edge against Barça |
| Shots / On Target | Limited | Took one key chance |
| Key Players | Álvaro Rodríguez (scorer), Defense (tough effort) | Worked hard in a tough matchup |
| Overall Performance | Competitive | The newly promoted side showed spirit |
Barcelona’s three points keep them out front in La Liga, with Yamal’s rise continuing and the squad showing real depth. Elche had a few bright spells, but Barcelona’s quality and chance creation told the story.
