Newcastle player ratings vs Barcelona with one 8/10 as Rashford inflicts defeat

Marcus Rashford's first Barcelona goals condemned a spirited Newcastle United to a 2-1 defeat in their Champions League opener. Eddie Howe's men threatened to take the lead after a high-speed start at a raucous St James' Park. But Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes failed to make the most of the Magpies' best goalscoring opportunities.

Newcastle blunted the Barca forward line until Rashford headed the La Liga champions in front on 58 minutes with his first goal in this competition since October 2021. And an absolute rocket from the England international, in front of the watching Thomas Tuchel, doubled the visitors' lead less than 10 minutes later. The Toon finally got on the scoresheet in the 90th minute through Rashford's international team-mate Gordon but they couldn't find a late equaliser. Express Sport rates and slates the Newcastle players...

Newcastle player ratings vs Barcelona

Nick Pope - 6

Denied Robert Lewandowski a clear header that the Pole might've scored from had Pope not rushed off his line. Could do nothing about the two goals he conceded and denied Dani Olmo well late on.

Kieran Trippier - 7

Largely won his individual battle against Rashford despite the Man Utd loanee scoring twice. Neither goal was his fault and the veteran was strong in his one-vs-one battles. Went off with cramp.

Fabian Schar - 6

Some brilliant blocks to deny Lewandowski and Rashford. Took goal kicks, which was an unusual sight. But his good defensive work was undone when he dropped a yard off Rashford for the goal. To be fair, he was likely struggling with the after-effects of a suspected concussion that forced him off soon after.

Dan Burn - 6

Good positioning to protect the Newcastle box for the first hour but it was his poor clearance that led to Rashford's second. Otherwise pretty solid. Booked for a poor first-half tackle.

Tino Livramento - 6

Didn't play to his highest standards and wasted a good counter-attack opportunity by not offloading the ball quick enough. Raphinha didn't have much of a sniff against him at the other end, though.

Bruno Guimaraes - 7

His sublime pass led to the Newcastle chance Barnes should have scored from. Forced a good save from Garcia at 2-0 down and was the home team's best player in the middle, finding Murphy out wide in the move that led to the goal.

Sandro Tonali - 6

Is a Champions League-level player but has had better games despite some good moments on the ball. A poor shot from the edge of the box was straight at Garcia and too slow to close Rashford for the second goal. Late chance to equalise was right down the middle.

Joelinton - 6

Could've been better on the ball. Had to be careful after his first-half booking and was brought off on the hour mark. Flicked a header wide from a corner before then.

Anthony Elanga - 8

Electric on and off the ball in the first half and was Newcastle's talisman offensively. Great low cross for Gordon should have been converted, so too his delivery to Barnes after an excellent sprint forward should have led to a goal. Surprisingly subbed off on the hour but influence had dipped after half-time.

Anthony Gordon - 6

Wasted a good early chance when he swiped at thin air. Worked hard all game but his end product was missing for most of it until he halved the deficit from close range late on.

Harvey Barnes - 5

Denied a goal by Joan Garcia 23 minutes in when he should have finished better. Also might have done more to stop Jules Kounde's cross for the opener.

Substitutes

Malick Thiaw (Schar 63) - 6

Saw more of the ball in the final third than anything.

Nick Woltemade (Barnes 63) - 6

His first ever European appearance and a nice touch in the build-up to Gordon's goal.

Jacob Murphy (Elanga 63) - 7

Perfect cross into Gordon for the goal.

Joe Willock (Joelinton 63) - 6

One low cross forced Garcia off his line. Good positioning to thwart one Barca attack.

Sven Botman (Trippier 76) - N/A

Didn't get too many touches.