Birthday boy Rashford and Yamal clear the air as Barca top Elche

Barcelona finally smiled again. After losing three of their last five games - including painful defeats to Real Madrid and PSG - the Catalans needed a reaction, and they got it. Against Elche, the reigning champions looked sharp early, survived a few scares later, and walked away with a 3-1 win that brings them back to second place, five points behind their eternal rivals.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan for Hansi Flick's side. Within just 12 minutes, Barca were two goals up - first through Lamine Yamal after a lightning counter, then Ferran Torres, who coolly finished another fast break to score his 50th goal for the club. The visitors’ risky high press backfired brutally: two defensive mistakes, two counterattacks, two goals.

Surprisingly, Elche actually dominated possession (54% by the 12th minute!) but were punished for leaving oceans of space behind. And yet, the match took a twist just before half-time when Rafa Mir - on loan from Sevilla - broke through Barca's failed offside trap and halved the deficit. He later hit both the post and the bar in a lively second half, reminding the hosts that nothing would come easy.

Elche coach Pablo Sarabia refused to abandon his bold approach. His team played brave, open football, pressing high and creating chaos, but ultimately paid the price. Once again, it was Fermin Lopez who stole the spotlight - the 20-year-old midfielder delivered two assists, including a stunning one for Marcus Rashford's third goal. The Englishman's solo effort, capped with a rocket under the bar, sealed the win and the relief around Camp Nou. And it all happened just a few days after his 28th birthday.

Rashford's numbers are flying too: six goals and five assists since August, making him one of the most productive players in Europe - behind only Mbappe and Alvarez.

The night also brought good news for Flick: Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski returned from injury, picking up minutes ahead of Wednesday's crucial Champions League clash with Club Brugge.

Barcelona are smiling again - and Flick, for now, can breathe.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 11

Friday

Getafe - Girona 2-1 (0-0)

/Martin 72, Mayoral 86 - Stuani 90+4 pen/

Saturday

Villarreal - Rayo Vallecano 4-0 (1-0)

/Moreno 22, Moleiro 56, Comesana 58, Perez 65/

Atletico Madrid - Sevilla 3-0 (0-0)

/Alvarez 64 pen, Almada 77, Griezmann 90/

Sociedad - Athletic Bilbao 3-2 (1-1)

/Mendez 38, Guedes 47, Gorrotxategi 90+2 - Guruzeta 42, Navarro 79/

Real Madrid - Valencia 4-0 (3-0)

/Mbappe 19 pen, 31, Bellingham 44, Carreras 82/

Sunday

Levante - Celta 1-2 (0-1)

/Arriaga 66 - Mingueza 40, Roman 90+1/

Alaves - Espanyol 2-1 (2-0)

/Suarez 5, Boye 40 - Fernandez 56/

Barcelona - Elche 3-1 (2-1)

/Yamal 9, Torress 11, Rashford 61 - Mir 42/

Betis - Mallorca IN PROGRESS

Monday

23.00: (2.95) Oviedo (3.05) Osasuna (2.60)

***odds are subject to change***