Marcus Rashford Shines With Brace As Barcelona Thrash Newcastle In UCL Opening Game

 

Barcelona secured a neat victory against Newcastle United and made a perfect start to the new UEFA Champions League season, with their newly-signed forward, Marcus Rashford, netting a brace. 

The former Manchester United forward was signed to Barcelona on loan, including an option for a permanent contract. He was making his debut in the competition for the side, and after a goalless first half, he broke the deadlock, sending Barcelona through to victory. 

Earlier in the second half, Rashford opened the scoresheet with the first goal with a header from Kounde's cross from the right wing. He doubled the lead, seizing a moment of individual excellence, and struck a sensational 20-yard shot into the difficult corner of the goal.  

Newcastle pulled one back through Anthony Gordon on the brink of the 90th minute. The striker received a low-cut cross from Murphy and struck the ball into the bottom left post. 

Newcastle were unable to undo the deficit and conceded their third consecutive home game defeat in the UEFA Champions League. However, they defeated Barcelona for the first time in the Champions League in 1997, and their first game in the European competition. 

Overview 

The Magpies were impressive from the start. Barcelona were unable to play their regular tactics due to the high-energy-driven football of their counterparts. Though the Spaniards burrowed into their opponents' box multiple times, they stood vulnerable as the Magpies seized fast breaks to cause scares, particularly Harvey Barnes' close-range strike from Elanga's cross.

Although Newcastle maintained the tempo from the first half, Barcelona found a loophole in the defense to get ahead. From the first half, the Spaniards had capitalized on the right wing through Raphinha, but they could not break through until Kounde's delivery landed rightly for Rashford. He was able to double his goal tally in five minutes. 

Gordon's goal was complementary to Newcastle. They gave the game their best and forced multiple saves from Joan Garcia. Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes put Barcelona's midfield to work. However, in the end, Barcelona took home a deserved victory.