Barcelona kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Newcastle at St. James Park, with Man United loanee Marcus Rashford scoring both goals.
It was a frustrating night for the Magpies, who were undone by their failure to convert a string of promising opportunities. Despite enjoying the better chances and carrying a sustained threat, Eddie Howe’s side were ultimately punished by a clinical performance from Rashford, who opened his Barcelona account in spectacular fashion.
Rashford became the first Englishman since 1989 to score for Barcelona in European competition, seizing the spotlight with two goals in the space of nine minutes. His precision header from Jules Kounde’s cross was followed by a stunning long-range strike that swerved and dipped in off the underside of the crossbar.
Though Gordon eventually pulled one back for Newcastle, it was too little, too late.
“I’m learning a lot, it’s a new style of football. But it’s making me a better player. Honestly, it’s an amazing experience. I’ve always been a huge admirer of Barcelona, every player my age has watched them play, it’s amazing football,” Rashford told TNT Sports after the match.
“I’m motivated, determined, the quality here is exciting. The team is so young, it’s refreshing. We know how tough the competition is so this year it’s about improving and trying to go one step more.”
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick was full of praise for Rashford’s contribution on the night.
“I expected that, but I’m really happy for him. He did not have an easy last few years, I’ve followed him since he played football and I was always like: ‘what kind of player is he’? He showed it in training. For me, it’s the next step. The confidence he’s got from these two goals, maybe he can make the next step.
“For a striker, it’s important to score goals. Sometimes he created a lot of chances in the first half, but to finish that’s an important thing. He did that today and we love that he did it in this way.”
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe admitted he was bitterly let down by the result.
“Disappointed. We were really in the game – we were never out of it – we had the chances to score in the first half. It was a whole-hearted, gutsy display from us. We just lacked the quality at the end of it,” he said.
“We always deliver high-octane football. The chances were there in that first half, against teams like this there’s not too many, and that’s what’s going to happen.
“We can do better with both of the goals we conceded. The first one was disappointing he was allowed the cross. The second one was an unbelievable finish.”
