Barcelona striker Marcus Rashford scored two brilliant goals to burst Newcastle’s bubble on their return to the Champions League.

The home team controlled the early stages of the game but failed to capitalize on their dominance, leading to their downfall when man-of-the-match Rashford scored in the second half. Anthony Gordon managed to score for Newcastle in the 90th minute, but it was too late.

Our chief football reporter, Craig Hope, was there to bring you his thoughts…

Rashford’s radiant return

While Rashford did not create threats in the same manner as Anthony Elanga did for Newcastle, he was effective when it counted. Returning to his homeland, this performance could be pivotal for Rashford’s future, both with Barcelona and England. His decisive influence was unmatched by Newcastle’s lack of such a figure.

It was Marcus Rashford’s night for Barcelona at St James’ Park on Thursday evening

The visitors ran out 2-1 winners thanks to two goals from the Englishman

Howe’s Woltemade mistake 

Eddie Howe’s decision to bench Nick Woltemade, despite his impactful debut, cost Newcastle. Had Woltemade started, the outcome could have been different. However, Howe’s choice to exclude his £69 million striker proved unwise.

By resting the German player, Howe opted for a front three consisting of Elanga, Gordon, and Harvey Barnes, none of whom had scored this season. Unsurprisingly, Newcastle’s initial burst of energy soon faded, resulting in a lackluster performance where potential led to nothing.

Too little, too late

Elanga delivered his most impressive half since his £55 million transfer, but Newcastle lacked someone to finish the opportunities he created. The missed chance by Gordon, after an Elanga assist, highlighted the impact of losing Yoane Wissa to injury. Without their £55 million striker, who has yet to debut due to a knee injury, Newcastle struggled up front.

Despite this, Newcastle had enough opportunities and possession to justify taking the lead, something they could have achieved with a striker in play.

Woltemade arrived with Barca 1-0 up, but by then it was an hour too late. Howe said afterwards he has to manage his minutes and, while that is right, this felt like an opportunity missed – quite literally at times!

Eddie Howe made the peculiar decision to leave out new striker Nick Woltemade

Anthony Elanga meanwhile had his best game so far in a Newcastle shirt

Anthony Gordon’s goal at the death was ultimately too little too late for the Magpies

Murphy’s despair

Just as surprising as the decision not to play Woltemade was Jacob Murphy coming out of the side. Yes, his replacement Elanga did well, but Murphy was tremendous during the 1-0 win over Wolves on Saturday, creating the goal for Woltemade. I thought Murphy and Woltemade could emerge as the new Keith Gillespie and Tino Asprilla here!

Alas, Murphy was very unlucky not to feature from the off and laid on the goal for Gordon after his introduction. To be fair, Howe says he is nursing an achilles problem, but Murphy is the type who would have risen to this occasion regardless.

Why the game did NOT fit the huge occasion 

The occasion felt huge, as big as the tifo unfurled by Wor Flags from the East Stand roof before kick-off. But did it feel like a huge game, upon which the Champions League destiny of either side depended? No. 

Now that would be true of the opening match even in the old group format, but this bloated version really does rob these early contests of any real jeopardy. There were points on offer, of course, but the relevance of events was more significant from a club folklore perspective than it was the immediacy of a 36-team league table, in which 24 progress…

It was a huge occasion at St James’ Park but one which lacked real jeopardy

One area in which Howe thought he had few concerns was defence. Before this game, Newcastle had conceded just one goal all season with 11 men on the pitch. In golden oldies Nick Pope (33), Kieran Trippier (35), Fabian Schar (33), Dan Burn (33) – as well as Tino Livramento (22) – Howe has a settled, experienced and wily back five. However, against elite sides such as Barcelona maybe they do need some younger legs to see out a full match. They were great for an hour…

One point Howe was asked to clear up afterwards, though, was why Schar stayed on the pitch after a whack to the head. Moments later he lost Rashford for the first goal. The Newcastle boss said he was told by medical staff that Schar was fine to continue.