Marcus Rashford takes over Barcelona in the absence of Lamine Yamal

Barcelona began its participation in the Champions League with a key victory at St. James' Park, by beating Newcastle 2-1 in a vibrant duel that confirmed Marcus Rashford as the man of the moment. The English striker, on loan from Manchester United, responded with two great goals in the second half and became the perfect replacement for Lamine Yamal, who is out due to a pubic injury.

Coach Hansi Flick had trusted the attacker to lead the team in an adverse context, with the physical doubts of Frenkie de Jong and Gavi added to the absence of his young star. The bet turned out to be successful: Rashford took the team on his shoulder and signed his first great European night with the Blaugrana shirt.

VINTAGE Marcus Rashford showed up at St James Park against Newcastle.

From the start, Newcastle sought to impose conditions. The atmosphere at St. James' Park was deafening and Anthony Gordon had the first clear chance at his feet just in the 5th minute, although he failed to finish off a cross that could have made it 1-0. The English pressure did not relent, and shortly after Harvey Barnes was one-on-one with Joan García, but she missed her finish and was also ahead.

The culé goalkeeper was the protagonist in the following passages, stopping a dangerous shot from Barnes that kept Barcelona alive. Little by little, Flick's men settled into the field, although their offensive attempts with Lewandowski and Raphinha did not find the necessary aim to open the scoring before the break.

The story changed in the second half. In the 58th minute, Jules Koundé overflowed from the right and sent a measured cross that Rashford, unmarked, headed into the back of the net to silence the local fans. Just nine minutes later, the Englishman struck again: he created a space on the front line and unleashed a sharp shot that hit the bottom of the crossbar before going in, a goal that extended the lead to 2-0 and confirmed his great night.

Newcastle did not give up and, encouraged by its people, sought the discount with offensive changes. Insistence was rewarded in the 90th minute, when Gordon took advantage of a loose ball in the area to beat Joan García and give life to the “magpies”. However, time was insufficient and Barcelona ended up securing its first three points in this edition of the Champions League.

They were asking for Marcus Rashford and he appeared. Double in the Champions League against a very tough Newcastle ⚪⚫ and scores his first official goals with the Barcelona shirt.

How nice he hit that ball in the second goal

For Rashford, the match meant a triumphant return to English territory, evoking his best moments with Manchester United, but now defending the Blaugrana colors. For Barça, the victory represented a boost of confidence amid the physical difficulties of its squad and the absence of one of its most promising gems.

With this result, Flick's team begins its European adventure with firm steps, supported by Rashford who showed that he can be much more than a substitute: a true leader on big nights.