Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: FC Barcelona ensured they will retain their lead at the top of La Liga after a 3-1 win away to Elche as they maintained their advantage in the Spanish top division football over archrivals Real Madrid. Lamine Yamal put Barcelona ahead early, and his side then went on to hit the woodwork three times before the break, before Alvaro Rodriguez took his chance to level the score for Elche.
Ferran Torres, who had twice hit the woodwork, put Barcelona back in front, and although Raphinha was forced out with a groin problem, his substitute, Marcus Rashford, netted Barcelona’s third with a right-foot shot in the 71st minute. Second-placed Real Madrid play Rayo Vallecano on February 2. Madrid are four points adrift of Barcelona, who now have 55 points, reports Xinhua.
Atletico Madrid dropped two points in a 0-0 draw away to Levante in a game in which Atletico striker Alexander Sorloth had to be taken to the hospital after a clash of heads. Gerard Moreno scored a penalty and a header from a corner as Villarreal had a 2-2 draw away to Osasuna, who drew level thanks to the impressive Victor Munoz.
Ilyas Chaira’s 73rd-minute tap-in saw Oviedo win 1-0 at home to Girona for their third victory of the season, which ended a winless run of 14 matches. Veteran midfielder Santi Cazorla started the move with Thiago Fernandez setting up Chaira to score against his former club.