“Newcastle fought hard, but one man’s sharpness made the difference.”
Marcus Rashford delivered a match-winning performance as Barcelona defeated Newcastle 2-1 in their Champions League opener at St James’ Park.
Rashford broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a well-timed header from Jules Koundé’s cross. Ten minutes later, he struck again, reacting quickly to a rebound before firing a powerful shot into the top corner. Newcastle responded late through Anthony Gordon, but Barcelona’s defense held firm to secure the three points.
The win was even more impressive as Barcelona were without key players including Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, and Gavi. Rashford, however, rose to the occasion, showing why manager Hansi Flick made him a priority signing.
For Newcastle, the result was disappointing after a spirited display in front of their home crowd. They created chances early on but were denied by sharp goalkeeping and lacked the finishing touch at crucial moments.
The result gives Barcelona a strong start in the group stage and highlights Rashford’s growing influence in the squad. His brace not only underlined his quality but also signaled that he could become a decisive figure for Barcelona in this European campaign.