Barcelona beat Elche 3–1 to open four-point lead at La Liga summit

KATHMANDU: Barcelona strengthened their grip on the La Liga title race with a convincing 3–1 victory over Elche on Saturday, moving four points clear at the top of the table.

Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford were all on target as Barça delivered a composed performance despite brief resistance from the hosts.

Barcelona struck early in the 6th minute when Yamal calmly rounded the goalkeeper to finish after a clever pass from Dani Olmo.

Olmo came close to doubling the lead soon after, rattling the crossbar with a powerful effort.

Elche responded in the 29th minute, with Álvaro Rodríguez finding the net to level the score against the run of play.

However, Barcelona regained control before halftime as Ferran Torres converted Frenkie de Jong’s assist in the 40th minute, making it 2–1.

The visitors dominated the second half, creating a series of chances.

Their persistence paid off in the 72nd minute, when Rashford headed home from Yamal’s precise cross to seal the win.

Yamal later missed a clear opportunity to add a fourth, but the result was already beyond doubt.

Other La Liga results:

• Alavés edged Deportivo Espanyol 2–1

• Real Oviedo defeated Girona 1–0

• Osasuna and Villarreal played out a 2–2 draw

• Levante and Atlético Madrid were held to a goalless stalemate