Marcus Rashford proved Newcastle United’s downfall as Barcelona beat Eddie Howe’s side in the Champions League on Thursday night.
Barcelona beat Newcastle United 2-1 at St James’ Park as the Magpies started their second Champions League campaign under Howe with a defeat.
England international Rashford, who is on loan from Manchester United, scored twice in the second half.
His first was a well-placed header and his brace was a brilliant strike from outside the box. Anthony Gordon would pull one back for Newcastle United, but it just wasn’t enough.
Newcastle started well but faded in the second-half, with Rashford shining. UEFA’s Technical Observer Group were impressed.
Marcus Rashford praised by UEFA
UEFA’s official website relayed a statement from UEFA Technical Observer Group.
Rashford was linked with a move to Newcastle but certainly came good for Barca on Thursday night, eventually outshining former Red Devils teammate Anthony Elanga who had started really well for Newcastle.
As such, he was handed the Player of the Match Award following his very impressive brace.
While Elanga was a standout in the first half, it was probably the right decision to hand Rashford the gong.
“He produced two outstanding moments of quality to decide a very well contested game,” they said (via UEFA’s official website).
What Marcus Rashford has said about playing against Newcastle United
Rashford was interviewed by TNT Sports after the game.
He admitted that he knew St James’ Park would be a difficult place to come and play, as was proved in the first-half.
“Here’s not an easy place to play football, I know that first hand,” he said.
Still, Barca’s quality eventually told. They ended up dominating the midfield, with Newcastle disjointed after the break.
There were certainly positives to take for Howe. Elanga was in fine form in the opening exchanges and Gordon’s goal came after the end of a flowing move.
However, that was a lesson at Champions League level. Newcastle just didn’t have enough and the decision not to start Nick Woltemade will long be debated.
Rashford, sadly, deflated Newcastle on Thursday night.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
