European football: Rashford seals Barça win, Milan edge Roma to join title race | European club football

Objectives from Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford guided Barcelona to a 3-1 victory towards Elche on Sunday, propelling the defending champions to second place in La Liga with 25 factors, 5 adrift of the leaders, Actual Madrid.

Trying to bounce again after their 2-1 defeat towards Madrid in final weekend’s clásico, Barcelona wasted no time in asserting their dominance at Montjuïc’s Olympic Stadium. They made probably the most of two defensive errors by Elche within the opening minutes to seize a two-goal lead with strikes by Lamine Yamal and Torres within the ninth and eleventh minutes.

Alejandro Balde pounced on a free move and delivered a exact by way of ball to Lamine Yamal, who confirmed distinctive composure, slicing inside earlier than unleashing a left-footed shot into the highest nook. It was his first league aim since 31 August and was a much-needed increase for the 18-year-old after weeks of combating a lingering groin harm.

Two minutes later the Elche right-back Adria Pedrosa slipped in his personal half and Fermin López capitalised, pouncing on the free ball earlier than delivering a low cross into the six-yard field, the place Torres was available to faucet the ball into the online. Rafa Mir decreased the deficit from a fast counter however Rashford prolonged the house facet’s lead with a terrific end from contained in the field within the 61st minute.

Torres advised DAZN: “It was crucial to start out robust and intense. From there, we might take the sport the place we wished it to go. We knew the kind of sport they have been going to play and we began very robust. We have been a bit off afterwards, however we discovered our spirit and our depth once more within the second half.”

Elsewhere, Antony scored twice and arrange a aim for Abde Ezzalzouli as Betis eased to a 3-0 win towards Mallorca. Celta Vigo moved away from hazard as Miguel Roman grabbed a late winner at 10-man Levante, whereas Alavés are eighth after defeating Espanyol. Lucas Boyé scored the decisive aim earlier than being despatched off late within the sport.

Inter claimed a lucky 2-1 victory at Hellas Verona in Serie A, securing the win with an excellent Piotr Zielinski strike and a last-gasp personal aim from Martin Frese.

The Polish midfielder opened the scoring within the sixteenth minute, curling an excellent volley into the online from Hakan Calhanoglu’s nook. Verona struck again 5 minutes earlier than the break when Giovane was launched down the suitable, holding off the Inter defence earlier than firing residence a pointy, angled shot.

In first-half stoppage time, Verona almost went in entrance when a swift passing transfer round Inter’s field ended with a one-touch flick from Present Orban that grazed the submit earlier than going extensive. Within the second half, Inter’s Yann Bisseck was lucky to flee with solely a yellow card after tripping Giovane. Deep in stoppage time, Nicolò Barella despatched a protracted ball into the field that deflected in off the Verona defender Frese, sealing a dramatic late winner for Inter.

Milan claimed a vital 1-0 residence win towards Roma, with Strahinja Pavlovic’s aim and Mike Maignan’s late penalty save tightening the battle on the prime of Serie A. One level now separates the highest 4 groups within the desk with Napoli on the summit on 22 factors, with Inter, Milan and Roma all on 21.

The guests managed the opening phases with Paulo Dybala going closest when he fired extensive from a great place. Milan discovered the breakthrough six minutes earlier than the interval, nevertheless. Rafael Leão burst ahead down the flank earlier than slicing the ball again throughout aim for Pavlovic to faucet it in from shut vary.

Milan might have doubled their lead earlier than the break however Youssouf Fofana fired extensive they usually have been the stronger facet early within the second half. Minutes after the hour, Leão had a golden probability to attain from a decent angle however Mario Hermoso got here to Roma’s rescue, clearing his effort off the road.

There was drama within the last 10 minutes when Roma have been awarded a free-kick in a harmful place. The ensuing shot struck Fofana’s arm within the wall, prompting the referee to level to the penalty spot. The Milan goalkeeper Maignan guessed appropriately and denied Dybala’s effort, sparking jubilant celebrations round San Siro.

Elsewhere in Serie A, Fiorentina’s depressing begin to the season continued as they misplaced 1-0 at residence towards Lecce. Medon Berisha’s winner for the guests prompted residence followers to name for the resignation of the supervisor, Stefano Pioli, who has overseen 4 league attracts and 6 defeats up to now in his second spell in cost.

Pisa are additionally nonetheless and not using a league win as they let a two-goal lead slip at Torino, with Che Adams scoring the equaliser on the finish of the primary half. Bologna sit in fifth place after coming again to win 3-1 at Parma, with Santiago Castro scoring twice.

Within the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim moved into the highest six with their third win in a row, Wouter Burger’s double securing a 3-2 victory at Wolfsburg. Köln are one place under in seventh after routing Hamburg 4-1, with Immanuel Pharai and Fábio Vieira each despatched off for the guests.

Lens climbed again as much as third within the Ligue 1 desk with a 3-0 residence win towards Lorient, Odsonne Édouard opening the scoring for the hosts. Lille are two factors behind in fourth after they edged out Angers 1-0. Lyon slip to sixth place after a goalless draw at Brest, whereas Esteban Lepaul hit a hat-trick as Rennes thrashed Strasbourg 4-1.