Marcus Rashford proved just how out of this world he is on Tuesday night. He scored two sensational goals in the space of just nine minutes, helping power Barcelona to a 2-1 win against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. It would be a defining match for Rashford. It ended a lengthy period of toiling for form as he bagged his first goals in the competition since 2021.
The 27-year-old wide man — on loan from Manchester United — scored the first goal in the 58th minute. His high-voltage shot blasted into the goal! He slipped Newcastle’s new signing Sandro Tonali before sending a howitzer flying that completely beat goalkeeper Nick Pope. Nine minutes later, he netted his second. He expertly side stepped past Fabian Schar to turn the ball on to a corner and then headed home from 12 yards with great velocity.
Hopefully this display by Rashford, in red hot form, marks the return of a long-awaited renaissance in his career. Rashford fell out of favor with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim last year. He was on loan at Aston Villa for part of the last term before making the permanent switch to Barca this season. His performance against Newcastle, where he has historically excelled, was especially poignant as it marked his seventh career goal against the Magpies.
Despite his recent struggles, where he faced criticism for lacking focus and consistency, Rashford’s brace served as a reminder of his potential when in form. For Manchester United supporters, watching their former player find success in the Champions League may have been a painful experience, particularly as they seek to regain their footing in European competitions.
Rashford’s efforts not only secured three crucial points for Barcelona but positioned them strongly in their Champions League campaign. The performance underscored his phenomenal knack for recovery after a challenging stretch. It was the first sign of the powerful comeback that was still to come from him.
Just prior to his goal, Rashford capitalized on a moment to give his club a lead. He jumped to meet a corner earlier in the game, but missed that opportunity. There’s no doubt he just blew people away with his determination and skill. With two clinical strikes, the 37-year-old left an indelible mark on the match’s outcome.
