Marcus Rashford was the star of the show as the Manchester United loanee scored twice for Barcelona against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Thursday night.
Lamine Yamal and Bruno Fernandes were both left speechless after Marcus Rashford’s stunning brace during Barcelona’s 2-1 win at Newcastle United in the Champions League.
Rashford, 27, who left Manchester United to join Barcelona on loan – this summer – scored twice within eight second-half minutes as Hansi Flick’s side made a winning start in Europe’s premier club competition.
His first came in the 58th minute as he met Jules Kounde’s cross and powered a well-placed header into the bottom corner. Shortly after, the England international netted his second with a sensational long-range strike, cannoning the ball home via the crossbar from the edge of the box, leaving Nick Pope with little chance.
Delivering his reaction on Instagram, Fernandes shared a clip of Rashford’s second goal with a wordless message, simply putting two mind-blown emojis and a shocked face in between.
Teenage sensation Yamal, who didn’t feature against Newcastle due to a groin issue, then posted his reaction to Rashford’s sublime performance but, like Fernandes, didn’t use any words. Indeed, he shared a post from Barcelona to his story before adding a person gesturing OK emoji and a fire emoji.
Rashford also received supportive messages from a number of his other ex-United teammates. After the England international posted on his own Instagram account, Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee Antony, Jadon Sancho, Ethan Wheatley and Jesse Lingard left a comment each.
Hojlund said: “Well done Marcus [red love heart emoji].”
Garnacho admitted: “Wow [star struck emoji, backhand index finger pointing right emoji, male version of the pouting face emoji].”
Zirkzee wrote: “Love it [red love heart emoji].”
Antony posted a face with open mouth emoji, dashing away emoji and two fire emojis, while Lingard put two fire emojis and Wheatley left a smiling face with heart eyes emoji.
Meanwhile, Garnacho, Antony, Hojlund, Sancho, Zirkzee, Lingard, Tyrell Malacia, Wheatley, Jack Grealish, Ayden Heaven, Brandon Williams, Joe Hugill, Bukayo Saka, JJ Gabriel, Richarlison, Amadou Onana, Phil Jones, Harry Amass, Shola Shoretire and Robin van Persie were among the million-plus people to like Rashford’s post.
After failing to score in his first four games for Barcelona, Rashford is now off the mark in sensational fashion and the Wythenshawe-born forward reflected on his start to life in Spain post-match.
“It is going good. I am obviously learning a lot,” Rashford said on TNT Sports. “It is a new way of football, but I am enjoying it all and I think it is making me a better player. That is what I am here to do – to help the team win – but also to try to improve and be the best that I can.”
Rashford added: “It is an amazing experience. I have always been a huge admirer of Barcelona, most people my age have watched them play from when we were younger.
“It is amazing football and amazing players. We just want to win as much as possible. I am very motivated and determined. The quality we have in the team excites me. It is so refreshing to play with these players.”
Newcastle pushed Barcelona right to the wire, with Anthony Gordon scoring late on to halve the deficit, but it proved too little too late to impact the end result.
“Here is not an easy place to play football, I know that first hand,” Rashford finished.
“The first half was very cagey. We did well, we tried to control the game – in spells – but it is very difficult to play against this team. I am really pleased that we managed to win.”
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2025-09-19 09:10:02
