Lorraine Williamson
FC Barcelona continued their strong run in La Liga with a 3–1 victory over Elche on Saturday, continuing their advantage at the top of Spain’s top flight.
Goals from Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford helped Barcelona to a comfortable win despite missed chances, moving them four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid in the early February title race.
Barcelona’s display under manager Hansi Flick maintained their momentum as they look to claim their first La Liga title in several seasons, combining attacking flair with tactical discipline.
Dramatic late win for Madrid
This afternoon at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid CF earned a dramatic 2–1 victory over Rayo Vallecano in a match that swung on a 100th-minute penalty.
Kylian Mbappé stepped up to convert from the spot deep into stoppage time, giving Madrid a late winner after Jorge de Frutos had levelled the score for the visitors following an early Vinícius Jr strike.
The dramatic finish hands Madrid three valuable points and keeps them within touching distance of Barcelona at the summit, with just a one-point gap between the two giants of Spanish football.
Real Madrid also suffered a setback during the game as midfielder Jude Bellingham was forced off early with a suspected hamstring injury, adding to their challenges as the season progresses.
Title race tightens
With Barcelona leading the table and Real Madrid closing the gap with their late winner, the La Liga title race is shaping up for an exciting final stretch this season.
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