NEWCASTLE 1-2 BARCELONA: Marcus Rashford made a triumphant return to English soil by plundering his first goals since swapping Old Trafford for the Nou Camp in the summer
The first was sweet and the second was sensational. This was, without doubt, Marcus Rashford’s best night in a very long time. It was the night when the England star showed that he belongs at Barcelona as Rashford lit up St James’s Park.
They were his first goals for Barcelona and scored in front of England boss Thomas Tuchel who must have looked on in wonder. His first was a glancing header to put Barcelona in front and the second was an incredible, fierce 25 yard drive shot which flew in off the crossbar.
Anthony Gordon did at least give Newcastle late hope with a 90th minute consolation but Barcelona held on for a precious win. And this was a reminder of Rashford’s quality and class. It will also be painful for Manchester United to look on and wonder how on earth it ever came to them loaning him out. How United could do with him now.
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Last season, Rashford was reinvigorated by his spell at Aston Villa and now you can only admire his single-minded determination to seize this opportunity at Barcelona. Rashford, 27, set his heart on joining Barcelona and, in the absence of their injured wonder kid Lamine Yamal, he seized his chance.
It certainly spoiled the script and ruined a big night at St James’s Park which was loud, intimidating and at times ferocious. The noise and atmosphere has a habit of swallowing up even the biggest and best teams. And for so much of the night, even five-time winners Barcelona looked a little bit intimidated.
Robert Lewandowski was nowhere, Barcelona were made to look rather ordinary and Newcastle flew out of the blocks and tore into the Spanish giants.
The Toon Army roared them on and it brought back memories of that famous night in September 1997 when a Faustino Asprilla hat trick helped Newcastle upset mighty Barcelona 3-2 in one of the greatest European nights this stadium has ever seen. Two years ago, they thrashed Paris Saint Germain – the current holders – 4-1 and the noise and atmosphere can be overwhelming.
Newcastle showed plenty of fight and threat but they are lacking the finish. Their best chance of the whole night came inside five minutes. It was Anthony Elanga’s cross which set up Gordon but he completely missed his kick. No wonder Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had his head in his hands.
Newcastle had another big chance when Elanga’s pace took him clear down the right wing again and this time his low cross found Harvey Barnes racing in at the back post but his shot was well saved by Barcelona keeper Joan Garcia.
Eddie Howe’s men could not turn possession and threat into goals. Up until then, Kieran Trippier actually did a great job keeping up with Rashford and also keeping him quiet. But that changed after 58 minutes. Raphinha tricked his way down the right, then Jules Kounde’s cross found Rashford who glanced a header into the far corner.
There was the trademark Rashford knee slide in celebration. What a moment for him. That was big – but more was to follow. Newcastle defender Dan Burn gave the ball away, Rashford shrugged off Sandro Tonali and worked himself enough space to unleash an absolute thunderbolt. What a strike.
This time, Rashford ran to Barcelona boss Hansi Flick for his celebration and got a huge hug. He deserved it.
Newcastle did at least put up a fight as Gordon scored his first goal in 20 games with a smart finish from Jacob Murphy’s low cross but Rashford had already made this night his own.
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