Marcus Rashford made a spectacular Champions League bow for Barcelona as Newcastle United's campaign opener ended in a 2-1 defeat at a feverish St James' Park, the on-loan Manchester United forward striking twice in nine second-half minutes to break open a tight encounter.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel watched on as Rashford headed in Jules Kounde's cross after 58 minutes and then hammered a stunning 20-yard drive in off the underside of the crossbar past the helpless Nick Pope. Anthony Gordon's slid finish at the start of seven minutes of added time gave Newcastle late hope, but Barcelona held on.
Howe's bold selection backfires
Eddie Howe sprang a surprise by leaving new £69m striker Nick Woltemade on the bench, choosing instead to deploy Anthony Gordon through the middle in an apparent bid to trouble Barcelona with pace. Woltemade had scored on his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers but came off with cramp, which may have influenced Howe's thinking.