JuicyTalk
Marcus Rashford scored his first Barcelona goals as the LaLiga giants sank a spirited Newcastle side in an enthralling game at St James’ Park on Thursday.
Anthony Gordon pulled one back in the 90th minute for Eddie Howe’s side, who at times outplayed their big-name opponents. But they were ultimately undone by two fine Rashford efforts in the second half.
Ahead of what was the Magpies’ return to the Champions League after a season away, Howe had said that the tie had a “magical” feel to it.
And, for Newcastle fans, the contest will have conjured up fond memories of cult hero Faustino Asprilla bagging a hat-trick against the Catalan giants 28 years ago.
However, despite the late fightback, there were to be no such heroics this time round, and it was Barcelona who this time left with the happy memories and, crucially, all three points.
Fearless Newcastle throw caution to the wind
In an intriguing but ultimately goalless first half, it was the hosts who enjoyed the better of it.
Gordon squandered a great chance inside the opening 10 minutes when he failed to connect with the lively Antony Elanga’s cut-back.
On such a momentous occasion, the Magpies showed little sign of nerves, restricting the Catalan club to very few clear-cut chances.
Dan Burn was perhaps fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after a strong challenge on Jules Kounde on the stroke of half-time, but it was Howe’s men who went into the break the happier of the two managers.
Rashford steals the show
In the absence of teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, who was missing through injury, Hansi Flick had turned to Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, to do much of his side’s creative bidding.
And after a relatively quiet 58-minutes, the England forward struck his first goal for the LaLiga club when he stole a yard from Fabian Schar before brilliantly nodding Kounde’s cross past Nick Pope.
Within 10 minutes, Rashford had doubled his tally. Howe had talked of magic in the build up and, ironically, such a moment of brilliance would come against his team.
Jinking sideways along the edge of the Newcastle area, the Barca loanee fired an unstoppable strike that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar: a sublime effort that suddenly gave the visitors control of the contest.
As the clock ticked over into the 90th minute, Gordon gave the hosts a late lifeline when, following a fine Newcastle move, his bobbled effort from Jacob Murphy’s cross beat Joan Garcia in the Barca goal to make it an exciting last few minutes.
But there was to be no further third-act twist in this engrossing drama and Barcelona prevailed.
