Barcelona are back on track in LaLiga. After consecutive defeats to Sevilla and Real Madrid, Hansi Flick’s men bounced back with a confident 3–1 victory over Elche at Montjuïc. Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford found the net to keep Barça five points behind leaders Real Madrid and to reclaim second place with 25 points from eleven games.
The win also extended two remarkable streaks: 50 consecutive matches scoring in all competitions and eight straight games conceding at least one goal. It reflected both the team’s attacking brilliance and their ongoing defensive instability.
Blistering Start at Montjuïc
The match was decided early. Although Elche pressed high in the opening minutes, a mistake from Affengruber allowed Alejandro Balde to launch a deadly counterattack. Balde found Lamine Yamal, who cut inside on his left foot and blasted a precise shot past Iñaki Peña for the opener in the 9th minute.
Just three minutes later, another defensive lapse from the visitors gave Barça their second. Pedrosa slipped at the edge of the box, Fermín López pounced, and his low cross found Ferran Torres, who tapped home to score his 50th goal for the club in 170 appearances. It was a proud milestone for the “Shark of Foiós”.
Elche pulled one back before halftime through Rafa Mir, who took advantage of poor positioning from Ronald Araújo to beat Szczęsny with a clinical strike. The goal marked the eighth consecutive match in which Barcelona have failed to keep a clean sheet.
Rashford Restores the Calm
In the second half, Marcus Rashford killed off any hopes of an Elche comeback. On 61 minutes, a long ball from Casadó released Fermín López down the left, and the midfielder’s low cross found Rashford, who finished from close range to make it 3–1.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, including another shot off the woodwork by Rafa Mir, Barça held firm. Flick used the closing stages to give minutes to Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, and young Gerard Martín, managing the squad carefully before next week’s Champions League trip to Bruges.
Ferran Torres Reaches 50 Goals in Style
This match will be remembered as Ferran Torres’ night. The Spanish forward continues to shine under Flick, improving his scoring average dramatically. Since the German coach’s arrival, Ferran has scored 25 goals in 57 games, nearly doubling his previous rate.
Against Elche, his early strike not only secured three points but also showed how much he has matured as a finisher. With six goals this season, Ferran is now joint-top scorer for Barça alongside Fermín López.
Flick’s Unsolved Defensive Puzzle
Despite the victory, Barcelona’s defensive fragility remains a concern. The team has now conceded in eight consecutive matches, allowing 17 goals in 14 games this season. Szczęsny, filling in for the injured Joan García, has yet to keep a clean sheet in LaLiga.
Flick continues to rely on Araujo and Eric García at centre-back, but both have struggled to maintain concentration in Barça’s high defensive line. Since Iñigo Martínez’s departure, the team has lost its precision when stepping up for the offside trap. That issue has repeatedly allowed opponents to exploit the space in behind.
The German coach must find a solution soon if Barça want to stay competitive in both LaLiga and the Champions League.
A Historic Run of 50 Straight Games Scoring
While the defense still needs improvement, Barcelona’s attack continues to make history. The win over Elche marked the 50th consecutive match in which the club has scored across all competitions. This streak began on December 21, 2024, in a match against Atlético Madrid.
With 140 goals scored during this period, Flick’s Barça have already surpassed the previous club record of 44 matches set more than 80 years ago. Not even the legendary sides of Cruyff, Guardiola, or the Messi–Suárez–Neymar trio achieved such consistency.
The milestone confirms Flick’s success in building an offensive powerhouse that always finds a way to score, regardless of the opponent or competition.
Looking Ahead
The win against Elche was exactly what Barcelona needed before traveling to Belgium for their midweek Champions League fixture. With momentum restored and their attack firing again, Flick’s men will aim to close the gap on Real Madrid while working to finally stabilize their defense.
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