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| Marcus Rashford scoring twice against Newcastle |
On a raucous European night at St. James' Park, FC Barcelona secured a valuable away victory against Newcastle United with a 2-1 scoreline to kick off their UEFA Champions League league phase campaign. The match featured a standout performance from on-loan English star Marcus Rashford, who scored both goals for the Catalan giants, making a powerful statement in his first appearance in a Barça shirt on English soil.
The game began amidst a fiery atmosphere created by the Newcastle fans, who dreamed of a triumphant return for their team to Europe's most prestigious competition. This enthusiasm was reflected in the performance of Eddie Howe's players, as they were the more dangerous side in the first half, threatening goalkeeper Joan García's goal on several occasions. The hosts nearly opened the scoring through several attempts, most notably a chance for Anthony Gordon who failed to connect properly with an easy ball in front of an open goal. In contrast, Barcelona relied on their experience, controlling possession and trying to absorb Newcastle's pressure while depending on the movement of Raphinha and Lewandowski, but without creating any real danger. The first half ended in a scoreless draw.
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| The first goal for Newcastle |
The second half saw a shift in Barcelona's performance, as they appeared more organized and determined to win the match. In the 58th minute, Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock when he rose to meet a precise cross from his teammate Jules Koundé and headed it into Nick Pope's net. This goal gave Barcelona greater confidence and made the task even more difficult for Newcastle. Rashford wasn't finished, returning less than ten minutes later to add a second goal in spectacular fashion. A rocket of a shot from outside the penalty area crashed off the crossbar and into the net, a goal that confirmed the English player's immense value and gave his team a comfortable lead.
Despite being two goals down, the Newcastle players did not give up and fought hard to get back into the game. Anthony Gordon managed to reduce the deficit in the 90th minute, capitalizing on an assist from Jacob Murphy to give his team hope in the final moments. However, the experience of Barcelona's players under manager Hansi Flick was evident as they intelligently managed the remaining minutes. The referee blew the final whistle, signaling a well-deserved victory for Barcelona and a perfect start on their quest for European glory.