Marcus Rashford had a fantastic Champions League debut for Barcelona, while Newcastle United started their campaign with a painful defeat at St James’ Park. The English forward, on loan from Manchester United, was the star of the match as he scored two quick goals in the second half.
The game had been tight in the first half, with both teams showing energy but lacking sharp finishing. Newcastle fans filled the stadium with their usual noise, but Rashford soon silenced them with his brilliance.
In the 58th minute, Rashford opened the scoring with a beautiful header. He met Jules Kounde’s cross perfectly and sent the ball past Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, right in front of England head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Nine minutes later, Rashford showed even more quality. He picked up the ball, unleashed a powerful 20-yard shot, and smashed it off the crossbar into the net, leaving Pope with no chance to save it.
These were Rashford’s first Champions League goals in nearly four years. For a player who has faced ups and downs in recent seasons, this was a memorable moment.
It was also a big night for Barcelona, who are missing their teenage star Lamine Yamal through injury. Rashford’s performance proved that the team still has plenty of firepower in attack.
Last season, Rashford had played Champions League football on loan at Aston Villa, where he gained valuable experience. This time, he looked even more confident and ready to take on the biggest stage again.
On the other side, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe surprised many with his starting lineup. He left their new £69 million striker, Nick Woltemade, on the bench and chose Anthony Gordon to lead the attack.
Gordon worked hard but struggled to make an impact against Barcelona’s strong defense. As the game went on, Barcelona’s control and Rashford’s sharp finishing made the difference.
When Rashford was substituted with ten minutes left, Barcelona fans stood up to applaud him. It was a well-deserved moment of recognition for his outstanding display.
Newcastle did not give up, and Gordon gave them a lifeline by scoring early in extra time. His goal raised hopes of a comeback, and the home fans roared again.
However, Barcelona managed the game smartly in the closing stages. They defended strongly and made sure Newcastle could not find an equalizer.
In the end, Barcelona celebrated a big away win, while Newcastle were left disappointed. Rashford’s heroics were the highlight, showing once again how much of a difference he can make on the biggest nights.
Source :Adomonline.com
