Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of Barcelona's La Liga clash with Elche. Following the humiliating defeat to PSG in the Champions League, Ronald Koeman's side were held to a 1-1 draw with Cadiz at the weekend leaving Barca fourth in the table, eight points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid. Surely they will get back to winning ways this evening at Camp Nou?! Kick-off is an hour away, team news to follow in a moment!
La Liga / Matchday 1
Spotify Camp Nou / 24.02.2021
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Live
Live Updates
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Updated 24/02/2021 at 19:51 GMT
- All
- Highlights
End of 2nd Half
FT
Full-time: All over at Camp Nou where Barcelona run out easy winners. The result means Ronald Koeman's side climb above Sevilla into third in La Liga.
90'
Three minutes to be added on here.
87'
Umtiti is clearly still in pain and yet he remains on the pitch in a game that has been over for quite some time now. Baffling.
86'
A slight concern over Umtiti as he goes to ground after a collision with Carrillo.
83'
Another chance for Griezmann! He rounds the goalkeeper, but he's forced wide and this time he slams his shot into the side netting from an acute angle.
82'
Griezmann... no! It looks easier to score than miss for the Frenchman as Dest rolls a ball into his feet. His first shot is saved and he hooks the rebound over the bar.
78'
Barca are on easy street now. After a dreadful opening 45 minutes, they have moved through the gears to chalk up a comfortable victory.
76'
Barca subs: Griezmann will get 15 minutes here as he replaces Braithwaite, who was fantastic tonight. Lenglet and Dest are also on, with Pique and Alba coming off.
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On
A. Griezmann
FC Barcelona
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Off
M. Braithwaite
FC Barcelona
Assists2
Fouls1
Fouls against1
Offsides1
73'
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Elche (Jordi Alba): Alba scores his second goal of the season and Barca's third of the night! Messi and Braithwaite are involved again, the former crossing for the latter who cushions a header into the path of Alba to set him up on a plate!
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Goal
J. Alba
FC Barcelona
Goals1
On target1
Free Kicks2
72'
Double Elche sub: Carrillo and Nino replace Milla and Boye.
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On
Nino
Elche CF
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Off
P. Milla
Elche CF
On target1
Fouls1
Offsides1
68'
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Elche (Lionel Messi): That will seal it - it's Messi again! de Jong slaloms his way through a crowd, carrying the ball an awful long way before pulling it back to Messi, who dances his way into the six-yard box and chips it over Badia. As cool as you like!
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Goal
L. Messi
FC Barcelona
Goals2
On target2
Blocked Shots1
Fouls against1
67'
Barca sub: Trincao has been much quieter since the restart and now he's replaced by Busquets.
-
64'
Dembele creates the space for a shot with a quick turn of pace, but he finds Josema in his way.
62'
Barca's front two work well together once more, with Messi picking out the clever run of Braithwaite, but the Dane runs into Barragan and the danger is gone.
60'
Double Elche sub: Fidel and Tete Morente come on for Cifuentes and Rigoni.
On
T. Morente
Elche CF
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Off
E. Rigoni
Elche CF
Fouls1
Corners3
-
Here's the goal...
56'
And here's a chance for Braithwaite. Elche fail to clear Alba's cross, it falls to the Dane, who opts to shoot from a tight angle but his effort is blocked by Josema.
55'
Braithwaite is combining well with Messi, which is something Boro supporters thought they would never read.
54'
Barca have been much improved since the restart. Whatever Koeman said at the break is clearly working. They're moving the ball much quicker now.