Rashford scores as Barca bounce back from El Clasico loss

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Barcelona 3 - 1 Elche 

Marcus Rashford was on target for Barcelona as they recovered from their El Clásico defeat with a composed victory over Elche.

Author | Jack L

Stadium | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys

La Liga | Barcelona v Elche | Barca players celebrate

Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres gave Hansi Flick’s side an early two-goal cushion before Rafa Mir briefly gave the visitors hope. Rashford’s strike just after the hour settled the contest and lifted Barça back to second, five points adrift of Real Madrid.

Barca eventually take control

Elche thought they had taken the lead when the ball found the net early on, only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations. From that point, Barcelona asserted control. Yamal opened the scoring in the ninth minute, cutting inside from Alejandro Balde’s pass and bending a superb finish into the far corner.

Two minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage as Fermin López capitalised on a defensive slip by Adria Pedrosa and squared for Torres to score from close range.

Mir reduced the deficit three minutes before the interval, timing his run perfectly to stay onside before curling in an excellent finish from the edge of the area.

Rashford had an effort disallowed early in the second half due to an offside in the build-up, but the England forward soon made amends, latching on to a López pass and blasting past Iñaki Peña.

Mir struck the post twice as Elche pressed late on, but Barcelona’s dominance ensured a comfortable finish. The win extended their unbeaten home record against Elche in the league to 25 games, with 18 of those ending in victory.

It has the potential to be a fascinating few weeks as Barca try to keep pace with Real Madrid and also progress in the Champions League.

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