As the second-half developed, the likes of de Jong and Pedri began dictating play. It led to Barcelona taking the lead. When Jules Kounde dropped a right-wing cross into the box, Marcus Rashford had plenty to do. Yet the England winger sent a powerful 12-yard header past Nick Pope. Within 10 minutes Rashford scored an even better goal, smashing home past Pope from outside the penalty area. Newcastle were understandably subdued for a spell after this. Yet the home side did pull a goal back through Anthony Gordon, which set up a grandstand finish, but Barcelona held on for the win.
Match Highlights
Newcastle United Player Ratings
GK: Nick Pope – 6.5/10
Utterly powerless to prevent either of Marcus Rashford’s goals
RB: Kieran Trippier – 7/10
Managed to keep Rashford at bay in the first half and used all of his experience to keep Newcastle in the game.
CB: Fabian Schar – 6.5/10
His wealth of experience was very much needed as Barcelona starved the home side of the ball.
CB: Dan Burn – 6.5/10
A disciplined performance from the big England centre-half.
LB: Tino Livramento – 7/10
Looks very comfortable in a Newcastle jersey on these big European nights. Showed a good range of passing
RM: Bruno Guimaraes – 6.5/10
Did what he could on the right to inspire the home side, but it wasn’t enough.
CM: Sandro Tonali – 7/10
Looked assured on the ball for the home side, but had to do his fair share of work off of the ball as the visitors had so much of the ball
LM: Joelinton – 6/10
Not at his very best, but continued to work and hurry Barcelona.
RW: Anthony Elanga – 7/10
Explosive pace and running throughout, he was a real threat down the right wing.
CF: Anthony Gordon – 6.5/10
Hurried and chased Barcelona in the first-half but was able to maintain that intensity. He did finish well to pull one back.
LW: Harvey Barnes – 6.5/10
Really ought to have put Newcastle 1-0 up in the first half, but could control the direction of his strike.
SUB: Malick Thiaw – 6/10
Got a decent run out but wasn’t able to impact the game.
SUB: Joseph Willock – 6/10
Simply unable to kick on and help Newcastle come back.
SUB: Nick Woltemade – 6/10
On for Barnes, but didn’t have the service to make things happen.
SUB: Jacob Murphy – 5/10
Frustrating cameo for the well-thought-of player.
SUB: Sven Botman – 6/10
Came on late to replace Trippier.
Barcelona Player Ratings
GK: Joan Garcia – 7/10
Made a telling stop from Barnes in the first half to help give Barcelona a foothold in the game.
RB: Jules Kounde – 7/10
Solid performance and put in the cross for Marcus Rashford’s first goal
CB: Ronald Araujo -7/10
Dependable performance from the centre-half.
CB: Pau Cubarsí – 7/10
Another Champions League appearance from the Barcelona youngster, who looked composed.
LB: Gerard Martin – 6/10
Was given a difficult time by Elanga when Newcastle had their spells in the game.
CM: Pedri – 8/10
Utterly composed in possession and the catalyst for much of Barcelona’s better play.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 7/10
As always, incredibly comfortable on the ball and grew more and more into the game.
RW: Raphinha – 6.5/10
Slowly got himself into the game
AM: Fermin Lopez – 7/10
Always a danger to Newcastle with his probing runs.
LW: Marcus Rashford – 8.5/10
Not able to truly impose himself on the game as he would have liked in the first-half, but scored a terrific header in the second half, followed by a sensational second.
CF: Robert Lewandowski – 6.5/10
Not his best ever night, but kept Newcastle on their toes.
SUB: Ferran Torres – 6/10
Solid cameo from Torres as Barcelona struck a two-goal lead.
SUB: Andreas Christensen – 6/10
Given a 20-minute run out as the away side looked to close the game out.
SUB: Eric García – 6/10
Brought on to replace Martin, who was on a yellow card.
SUB: Dani Olmo
Replaced the two-goal hero Rashford inside the last 10 minutes.
SUB: Marc Casado – N/A
Brought on in injury time.
