Marcus Rashford stars in a 2-1 victory for Barcelona at Newcastle, scoring a brace
In a thrilling Champions League season opener, Marcus Rashford scored twice for Barcelona against Newcastle United, securing a 2-1 victory for the Spanish giants.
Rashford's return to St James' Park was a particularly sweet experience, as he found the back of the net in the 58th and 67th minutes of the match. The first goal was an angled header from Jules Kounde's cross, while the second was a strike from the edge of the box that flew past the goalkeeper.
The victory came despite Barcelona playing without Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, and Gavi due to injury. Hansi Flick, the Barcelona coach, had made signing Rashford a priority during the close season, and his faith in the English forward paid off.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe opted to deploy Anthony Gordon and bench new striker Nick Woltemade in the match against Barcelona. Despite a whole-hearted, gutsy display by the Magpies, they struggled to break down Barcelona's disciplined defense and succumbed to Rashford's skills in the second half.
Anthony Gordon scored a consolation goal for Newcastle in the 90th minute, but it was not enough to prevent the defeat. Newcastle United goalkeeper Joan Garcia made a fabulous reflex save early in the game to keep the scoreline respectable.
Rashford, who has now scored seven goals against Newcastle United in his career, expressed his excitement about playing for Barcelona and the team's shared ambition to win as much as possible. He acknowledged that it is difficult to be a starter due to the team's top players, but he feels more comfortable every day and expects to play better as the season progresses.
Hansi Flick backed Rashford to fill Lamine Yamal's boots in their Champions League season debut. The coach stated that it was a disappointing result for Newcastle, as they never felt out of the game and were disappointed they did not score the first goal.
Rashford believes that playing for Barcelona is making him a better player, as he learns a new way of playing football. As the Champions League season unfolds, fans can expect to see more of Rashford's impressive form for Barcelona.
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