Marcus Rashford played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the Champions League on Thursday, scoring both goals in a dominant second-half performance. The England forward, who made the loan move from Manchester United to Barcelona in July, marked his return to England with a memorable brace at St James’ Park. His first goals in Europe since 2021 came as a powerful reminder of his potential and what Barcelona could expect from the 27-year-old forward.
“It’s an amazing experience playing for Barcelona. I’ve always been a huge admirer of the club. We just want to win as much as possible,” Rashford shared after the match.
A Strong Performance Amid United’s Struggles
Rashford’s brace stood in stark contrast to Manchester United’s struggles, who are currently absent from European competition and have faced a rough start in the Premier League. His stellar performance, coupled with Barcelona’s tactical discipline, left United fans reflecting on their club’s fortunes this season.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was full of praise for Rashford’s impact, saying, “These two goals will help a lot to get Marcus to the next step. It’s so important he has the confidence and feels OK.”
Despite missing key players like Lamine Yamal, Barcelona showed their strength with Rashford leading the way. His first goal arrived in the 58th minute from a cross by Jules Kounde, which he finished with a powerful header. Nine minutes later, Rashford sealed the win with a magnificent strike from 25 yards that left Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope rooted to the spot.
Newcastle’s Late Push Falls Short
Newcastle managed to pull one goal back in the 90th minute thanks to Anthony Gordon’s precise finish, but it wasn’t enough to deny Barcelona all three points in their Champions League opener.
“It was a good performance, but these nights are only magical for us if we win,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “The chances were there in the first half, but against teams like this, you don’t get many.”
Rashford’s performance continues to be a beacon of hope for Barcelona fans, signaling the forward’s potential to thrive in La Liga and European competition after a turbulent period in his career. With this victory, Barcelona sets the stage for a hopeful Champions League campaign.
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