Marcus Rashford made sure all eyes were on him during Barcelona’s thrilling Champions League clash at St James’ Park.
With England manager Thomas Tuchel watching, the forward delivered a stunning double against Newcastle United, reminding the football world—and his former club Manchester United—of his undeniable talent.
These were Rashford’s first goals since joining the Catalans on loan in the summer, signaling a potential resurgence in his career.
A Memorable Debut Performance
Rashford opened the scoring with a smart header in the 58th minute and then added a spectacular strike from the edge of the area just nine minutes later.
Newcastle fought back with a late goal from Anthony Gordon, but Barcelona held on for the win.
His performance highlighted what fans can expect if Rashford continues this form, and it also served as a reminder of the goals he provided last season during his loan spell at Aston Villa.
Hansi Flick Praises His New Signing
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick didn’t hold back in his praise, saying he immediately knew Rashford had to be part of his squad.
“For me, he is an outstanding player and an outstanding finisher,” Flick said.
“These two goals will help a lot to get Marcus to the next step. We always see this in training and we saw it today.”
Flick emphasized that Rashford’s performance demonstrates both his quality and his growing confidence at Barcelona, adding that having him in the team is a boost for the club.
Rashford Embraces the Challenge
Rashford himself expressed excitement about his new chapter in Spain. “It’s going well.
I’m learning a lot—it’s a new way of football—but I’m enjoying it all and I think it is making me a better player,” he said.
He described his admiration for Barcelona, the quality of his teammates, and the motivating environment under Flick’s leadership.
“The team is so young, they play with confidence and understanding. It’s refreshing to play with these guys,” he added.
He also praised his new coach, saying Flick is “a top coach, a top man manager,” and highlighted the positive impact of the team’s recent performance on both confidence and morale.
Reactions from Friends, Fans, and Experts
Rashford’s former Manchester United teammates, including Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho, reacted on social media to his second goal, showing their support.
Meanwhile, TNT Sport studio analyst and former Chelsea star Joe Cole described Rashford as “unstoppable at his best” and praised the England forward for enjoying his football again.
Newcastle’s Efforts Fall Short
Despite a strong showing, Newcastle couldn’t capitalize on their early chances.
Manager Eddie Howe admitted that the game turned on the first goal and noted the challenge of managing players’ fitness.
He also revealed that striker Yoane Wissa faces a race against time to recover for post-international break matches, while new signing Nick Woltemade was rested despite scoring on his debut.
A Promising Future for Rashford
With a spectacular double in his first major outing for Barcelona, Marcus Rashford appears to be on the path to a career revival.
His performances have not only impressed fans and pundits alike but also sent a message to his former club and the wider footballing world: Rashford is back, and he’s hungry for more.