- Marcus Rashford scored twice to give Barcelona a 2-1 win over Newcastle in the Champions League
- Newcastle created several chances but failed to convert until a late goal by Anthony Gordon
- Barcelona Held Firm Late On Despite Newcastle’s Pressure
English Man, Marcus Rashford, with a brilliant double that secured a 2-1 Champions League win for Barcelona against Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the 27-year-old striker, currently on loan from Manchester United, opened the scoring in the 58th minute with a powerful header.
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He then sealed the victory with a stunning long-range strike nine minutes later, in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel.
Rashford punished Newcastle for failing to convert earlier opportunities.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, back from suspension and starting instead of record signing Nick Woltemade, and Harvey Barnes both came close to putting the home side ahead before halftime.
Despite having better chances, Newcastle couldn’t find the net until late in the game.
The visitors showed why they are one of Europe’s elite as they dominated the English side to wrap up all theee points.
Gordon missed an early chance after a good run and cross from Anthony Elanga, and García comfortably gathered a shot from Barnes following a slick one-two with Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle got a warning when Rashford beat Kieran Trippier on the break but fired wide.
Barcelona’s midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong started to take control of the game with their possession.
Nick Pope, Newcastle’s goalkeeper, made a key save from Robert Lewandowski after a cross from Raphinha.
However, García had to make a crucial leg save after Barnes met another Elanga cross early in the second half.
Defenders Fabian Schär and Lewandowski engaged in a tough battle, with Lewandowski’s attempts blocked twice.
Barcelona began to assert their dominance after the first half had ended without goals, but soon after the break, Joelinton missed a great chance when he narrowly failed to direct a header from Elanga’s corner on target.
However, Newcastle’s Schär blocked a Rashford shot as Barcelona pushed back.
Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when full-back Jules Koundé found Rashford with a cross, allowing him to power a header past Pope.
Rashford doubled the lead with a spectacular right-foot strike that hit the underside of the crossbar and went in, leaving Pope helpless.
Despite a late Newcastle surge and a save from García on a shot by Bruno Guimarães, the visitors held firm until the final moments.
Gordon scored in stoppage time from a cross by substitute Jacob Murphy, but it was too late to change the result.
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