Barcelona managed a 2-0 victory at Elche in the La Liga on Sunday despite missing Messi in the squad.

Lionel Messi was red-carded in the final of the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Club when Barcelona lost 3-2 after extra-time and was banned for two games.

The Argentine forward was missing in Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over Cornella in the Copa Del Rey during the week and was not on the bus to Elche on Sunday afternoon.

Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong scored his fourth goal of the season with the opener in the 30th minute before Ricard Puig scored in stoppage time to ensure victory for Ronald Koeman’s men.

The win is Barcelona’s seventh win in La Liga and they are currently nine games unbeaten in the La Liga. The hosts, Elche, are without a win in 13 matches in the La Liga.

Elche remains in the relegation zone with 17 points from 18 games, while Barcelona’s win puts them above Sevilla on the table as the Catalonia side has 37 points from 19 games to sit third on the table.

Ronald Koeman’s side sits 3 points behind Real Madrid on the log. Real Madrid had won comfortably against Alaves on Saturday, Karim Benzema’s brace and a goal each from Hazard and Casemiro ensured a 4-1 win for Zidane’s men.

However, Barcelona trail Atlético Madrid with 10 points, Atletico Madrid stayed on the top of the table with a comfortable win against Valencia on Sunday with former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez scoring.

Atletico Madrid has 47 points from 18 games albeit, they have a game in hand.

In other matches in the La Liga at the weekend, Osasuna beat Granada 3-1 to move out of the relegation zone while Celta Vigo and Eibar played a 1-1 draw.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu