The Catalans opened the scoring early in the game with two goals from their youngsters, headed by Ferran Jutgla from a corner (16th), then by the young Spanish international Gavi, on a goal like Lionel Messi (19th).

But Elche equalized in three minutes after returning from the locker room thanks to a powerful strike from his substitutes Tete Morente (61st) and Pere Milla (63rd), who entered a few minutes earlier.

Barcelona midfielder Gavi scores the 2nd goal against Elche, during LaLiga Matchday 18, December 18, 2021 at Camp Nou Pau BARRENA AFP

But at the very end of the game (85th), Nico, with a tackle, offered the unexpected victory to the Blaugrana, at the conclusion of a bright center back from Gavi.

An emotional roller coaster for Xavi's men, who came out of three defeats and a draw in their last four games, and who had already experienced a similar scenario last weekend in Osasuna (2-2).

"Fantastic generation"

But this time, at the end, victory awaited them.

And Barça supporters can dream of.

Because the three scorers of the evening for the Catalans are respectively 22, 17 and 19 years old, and are all hopes trained in La Masia and launched by Xavi.

After Nico and Ez Abde last week, it was Ferran Jutgla who scored his first professional goal on Saturday night.

He had only played one minute last weekend and officiated for the first time as a starter this Saturday.

The joy of Barcelona midfielder Ferran Jutgla, after opening the scoring against Elche, during the 18th day of LaLiga, December 18, 2021 at Camp Nou Pau BARRENA AFP

"Araujo, Riqui Puig, Balde, Nico, Abde, Gavi ... It's a fantastic generation. Even better than that of Busquets, Pedro etc. I did not put more players from the training center because the laws forbid me. Me, at their age, I was scared. They are wonderful, "Xavi praised in a post-match press conference.

Despite the big defensive worries that Barca suffered in the absence of Gerard Pique (suspended), Xavi did not give up when Elche equalized.

On the contrary, the Catalan technician has continued to encourage his young people, and continued to believe in his playing philosophy which ignited Camp Nou in the first period.

He even threw Nico, Riqui Puig and Alex Balde, other nuggets formed at the club, who managed to find the key to victory on the wire.

Barcelona coach Xavi (r) greets his Elche counterpart Fran Escriba before the start of the LaLiga Matchday 18 match on December 18, 2021 at Camp Nou Pau BARRENA AFP

This success makes Xavi breathe, but Barça remains far from the top of the standings: 15 points still separate him from Real Madrid, leader, who faces Cadiz on Sunday evening (9:00 p.m.).

© 2021 AFP