Barcelona tear Elche apart in five-goal La Liga masterclass

Hansi Flick's side extended their remarkable dominance over Elche to 13 consecutive victories in all competitions, while also recording an 11th straight La Liga win against the hosts.

Despite the emphatic final score, Elche started brightly and put a much-changed Barcelona side under pressure in the early stages.

Lamine Yamal had the first clear opportunity after just five minutes, but the winger fired over the crossbar when well placed.

Barcelona were unusually careless in possession during the opening exchanges, but they settled after Raphinha won a penalty in the 14th minute. The Brazilian took responsibility from the spot and confidently converted to give Barcelona the lead.

Elche refused to be discouraged and continued to threaten. David Affengruber came close with a diving header from a well-delivered corner, while Barcelona were forced to defend several dangerous attacks.

Yamal began causing problems down the left, but Elche came close to finding an equaliser before the break. Eric Garcia produced a crucial last-ditch clearance to prevent a certain goal before Ali Houary missed a golden opportunity from close range.

Barcelona made Elche pay for that wastefulness in first-half stoppage time.

Raphinha collected a loose ball and immediately played Karim Adeyemi through. The summer signing kept his composure to slot a right-footed finish past Matias Dituro and score his first goal for Barcelona.

Elche continued to push after the interval and almost reduced the deficit when Tete Morente's effort on the turn struck the outside of Joan Garcia's post.

The Barcelona goalkeeper then gathered a dangerous cross with Fer Nino waiting to pounce as Elche searched for a way back into the contest.

Flick responded by introducing Dani Olmo and Anthony Gordon for Yamal and Adeyemi, and the substitutes soon made their impact felt.

Gordon and Olmo combined to release Raphinha, who swept home his second goal of the night with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Gordon then turned provider again four minutes later, racing clear of the Elche defence before slipping the ball across to Fermin Lopez, who calmly finished into an empty net.

Fermin completed a memorable cameo soon afterwards. The midfielder produced a superb turn on the edge of the penalty area to create space before firing a fine left-footed effort beyond Dituro for Barcelona's fifth.

The victory gave Barcelona the perfect start to their 2026/27 La Liga campaign, while Elche's first home defeat in eight matches ended a run that had included four wins and three draws.