UCL: Marcus Rashford Shines On Return To English Soil With Brace In Barca's Win Over Newcastle

Last Updated:September 19, 2025, 07:45 IST

Marcus Rashford netted a brace for the La Liga heavyweights to outbid Anthony Gordon's late strike for the hosts in their UCL opener.

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford, left, celebrates with team after scoring his side second goal during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Newcastle and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Spanish champions Barcelona got their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season off to a positive start as they registered a 2-1 win over English side Newcastle United on the road on Friday.

Marcus Rashford netted a brace for the La Liga heavyweights to outbid Anthony Gordon’s late strike for the hosts in their UCL opener.

Rashford scored twice within nine minutes in the second half at St James’ Park, marking a memorable return to England following his loan move from Manchester United in July.

The 27-year-old’s first Champions League goals since 2021 were likely painful for United fans to watch, as their team is without European football this season and already struggling in the Premier League.

Gordon pulled one back for Newcastle in the closing stages, but it was too late to salvage a point in their Champions League group phase opener.

Rashford fell out of favour with United boss Ruben Amorim last season, leading to a loan to Aston Villa in the second half of the campaign before being sent to Barcelona for the entire term.

Once hailed as the future of English football after emerging from United’s youth academy, Rashford’s career has declined in recent years amid claims he is no longer focused on his career.

However, Rashford’s vibrant performance on Tyneside suggested he might be on the verge of a long-awaited resurgence with Barcelona.

“It’s an amazing experience playing for Barcelona. I’ve always admired the club. We just want to win as much as possible," Rashford said.

“I’m full of excitement, very motivated and determined. The quality we have in the team excites me. It’s so refreshing to play with these players. It’s a new way of football, but I’m enjoying it and it’s making me a better player."

Off to a solid start in La Liga with three wins from four games, Barcelona were without Spain forward Lamine Yamal, who was sidelined for Sunday’s 6-0 victory against Valencia with a groin injury.

But Rashford’s double ensured Yamal wasn’t missed by Hansi Flick’s team.

“I’m happy for Marcus. We have a lot of good players and he’s one of them," Flick said.

“These two goals will help a lot to get Marcus to the next step. It’s crucial he has confidence and feels good. These goals are unbelievable for him moving forward."

Beaten by Inter Milan in last season’s Champions League semi-finals, Barcelona haven’t reached the final since they last lifted the trophy in 2015.

But the five-time European champions are expected to be strong contenders this season, and this was a solid start to their campaign.

The defeat dampened Newcastle’s hopes of making a strong start on their return to the Champions League after failing to progress past the group stage in 2023-24.

“It was a good performance, but these nights are only magical for us if we win," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said.

“The chances were there in the first half. Against teams like this, you won’t get many. We got punished."

Newcastle enjoyed one of the greatest nights in their history when Faustino Asprilla’s hat-trick inspired a 3-2 Champions League group stage win against Barcelona in September 1997.

Nearly 28 years to the day since that remarkable evening at St James’ Park, Asprilla flew in from Colombia to watch Newcastle’s first clash with Barcelona since 2003, but Rashford stole the spotlight.

Barcelona were far more effective after the interval and took the lead in the 58th minute.

Jules Kounde whipped his cross into the area, and Rashford easily eluded Fabian Schar to powerfully head past Newcastle keeper Nick Pope from 12 yards.

Rashford doubled Barcelona’s advantage in the 67th minute in stunning style.

Taking possession 25 yards from goal, Rashford glided past Sandro Tonali and unleashed a fierce strike that left Pope grasping at thin air as it flashed into the top corner.

Gordon set up a tense finale when he met Jacob Murphy’s low cross with a clinical close-range finish in the 90th minute, but Barcelona held firm.

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News sports UCL: Marcus Rashford Shines On Return To English Soil With Brace In Barca's Win Over Newcastle

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