An inspired Marcus Rashford celebrated his return to English soil by scoring twice in nine second half minutes to give Barcelona a 2-1 win over Newcastle United in his UEFA Champions League 2025-26 season opener in St James’ Park on Thursday.
Missing important players Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Bald and Gavi due to injury, had to endure an early storm when Newcastle ruthlessly crowded high, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia who made a fantastic reflex Save to refuse Harvey Barnes from the start of the game.
The five -fold European champion gradually got control of the procedure until the English attacker Rashford broke the impasse in the 58th minute and his first goal for Barcelona scored with an angular header of the right -wing cross of Jules Kounde, which just settled within the left post after Nick Pope’s reach.
The inspiring Night of Rashford took place nine minutes later when he hit a rebound on the edge of the box, put himself on the right side with a quick slide and unleashed an unstoppable strike that flew past Pope before he licked the crossbar in the top left corner.
Anthony Gordon reduced the deficiency in the 90th minute and tapped in a low cross of Jacob Murphy in a fast counter, but it was too late for Newcastle.
After a great achievement during the 6-0 LA Liga victory on Valencia on Valencia, Rashford’s stunning Double suggests that he is finally recovering his old form after he has gotten out of grace at Manchester United.
His back-to-back versions suggest that the personal gamble of coach Hansi Flick on Rashford is bearing fruit.
The German tactician made signing the English forward priority during the short season and supported him to fill Yamal’s boots in Barca’s Champions League seasers debut.
«I am not surprised,» said Flick Movistar Plus.
«I see what he is capable of training every day, and he is such a talented player. He scored two remarkable goals today. A goal is a goal. I have to keep an eye on both goals, but the second was probably better. The most important thing is that he gets confidence and that we help him to maintain it,» he added.
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The English attacker has now scored seven goals against Newcastle during his career, with only Leicester City (eight goals) for Newcastle in his personal score cards.
Scoring his first two goals for Barcelona on Thursday made his return to St James’ Park a particularly sweet.
«I learn a new way of playing football in Barcelona and that makes me a better player,» Rashford said TNT Sports.
«It is an incredible experience to play for Barcelona and we want to win as much as possible. It is exciting to play with these guys. It’s hard to be a starter because we have a team with top players. I arrive in a new city, a new culture … I feel more comfortable every day.
Newcastle -Manager Eddie Howe, who chose to use Gordon and hunt new 69 million pounds Nick Woltemade, saw his side struggling to break down the disciplined defense of Barcelona and succumbed to the skills of Rashford in the second half.
«Disappointing. We were really in the game. I never had the feeling that we were outside,» said Howe TNT.
«I am disappointed that we did not score the first goal. That was crucial. We had the chance to do it. It was a sincere, Putsy display, but perhaps he was missing the quality to win us,» he added.
Published on September 19, 2025
