Newcastle United vs. Barcelona score: UEFA Champions League result, stats as Marcus Rashford stars on Tyneside

On Newcastle United's return to the Champions League, it was Marcus Rashford who stole the spotlight at St. James' Park as the Manchester United castaway bagged a sensational brace in a 2-1 Barcelona win to start league-phase play.

Rashford, on loan with the La Liga club, scored his first Champions League goals since 2021 as he struck for a pair nine minutes apart bracketing the hour mark.

After a blistering first 10 minutes of the match, the two sides settled into a cagey affair, with plenty of attacking intent but little end product. Newcastle were left to rue their missed chances the most, as Anthony Gordon failed to make contact on a glorious opportunity in the early stages, and Harvey Barnes was denied by a spectacular Joan Garcia save later in the first half.

With the sides goalless at the break, Barcelona would eventually exert their dominance on the match, controlling possession from 30 minutes on and limiting counter-attack chances. Hansi Flick's side were not as aggressive as they've come to be known and relied on individual brilliance to carry them through.

That proved profitable in the end as Rashford met Jules Kounde's cross in the 57th minute, powering home a header to open the scoring. He would double the lead shortly after with a truly blistering strike that was reminiscent of his best years at Old Trafford. It couldn't have come at a better time, as he delivered his first goals in a Barcelona shirt with England boss Thomas Tuchel in attendance.

Newcastle made the end interesting as they usually do, with Gordon finding the net amidst an otherwise sleepy finish to the match, but the Magpies could not make the most of their brief moment of hope as they failed to capitalise on seven added minutes.

The Sporting News followed the Newcastle vs. Barcelona match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.

JUMP TO: Highlights and commentary | Team news and lineups | Full match stats

Newcastle vs. Barcelona final score

Location: St. James' Park (Newcastle, England)
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE)

Starting lineups:

Newcastle (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Pope (GK) — 2. Trippier (Botman, 76'), 5. Schar (Thiaw, 64'), 33. Burn, 21. Livramento — 39. Guimaraes, 8. Tonali, 7. Joelinton (Willock, 64') — 20. Elanga (Murphy, 64'), 10. Gordon, 11. Barnes (Woltemade, 64').

Barcelona (4-2-3-1, right to left): 13. J. Garcia (GK) — 23. Kounde, 4. Araujo, 5. Cubarsi (Christensen, 69'), 18. Martin (E. Garcia, 82') — 21. de Jong, 8. Pedri — 11. Raphinha, 16. F. Lopez (Casado, 90'), 14. Rashford (Olmo, 82') — 9. Lewandowski (F. Torres, 69').

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Newcastle vs. Barcelona stats

Newcastle vs. Barcelona live updates, highlights from Champions League

FULLTIME: Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona

There goes the final whistle, as Barcelona hang on! It was comfortable up until Anthony Gordon's lifeline near the end, but Newcastle left it too late and can't quite climb back level.

A deserved performance for Barcelona who secure an early three points to begin league phase play!

90+7 min: A yellow card is shown to Marc Casado for a blatant foul down the right edge as Newcastle tried to break. You'd imagine he's fine with that, as the clock winds down.

90+5 min: Chance, Barcelona! Dani Olmo fires a speculative shot on frame seeking the inside of the near post, but Nick Pope makes a fabulous save! It appeared Pope may have been expecting a shot to the opposite side of his net, but manages to contort his body against its initial movement and get his fingertips to the ball!

90+3 min: Someone on the Newcastle bench receives a yellow card as Fermin Lopez is replaced by Marc Casado in a defensive change for Barcelona.

90th min: GOAL! NEWCASTLE! With the match seemingly all but over, Barcelona have fallen asleep and allowed Newcastle a breath of life right at the end of regulation!

Newcastle break the high Barcelona defensive line, and a cross from the right by Jacob Murphy meets a streaking Gordon in the middle of the pitch, where he had beaten Jules Kounde vertically to tap home his side's first goal.

With SEVEN minutes of added time then shown by the fourth official, this one's suddenly far from over!

VIDEO: Watch Anthony Gordon goal in UK

80th min: Ferran Torres goes down under pressure from two defenders as he crosses into the six-yard box, but the referee waves away any protests for a penalty.

Moments later Marcus Rashford is splayed flat on the turf after an off-ball collision with Malick Thiaw, but there's nothing in it and play is waved on. Barcelona make a double change, as Rashford will depart for Dani Olmo, and Eric Garcia replaces Gerard Martin.

74th min: Bruno Guimaraes crops up with a strong effort just above the top of the penalty area, but it's simple for Joan Garcia in the end, as the Barcelona goalkeeper tracks the flight of the ball and parries it down in front of him and safely into his grasp.

Shortly after, Fermin Lopez is booked for a foul on Kieran Trippier, who is then replaced by Sven Botman. The Newcastle defender appears to be fine, but Eddie Howe isn't taking any chances the rest of the way.

69th min: With Barcelona up a pair, Hansi Flick protects a few key players and brings on fresh legs, with Ferran Torres taking over up front for Robert Lewandowski while Andreas Christensen replaces young Pau Cubarsi.

67th min: GOAL! BARCELONA! MARCUS RASHFORD DELIVERS A STUNNER TO DOUBLE THE BARCELONA LEAD!!!! OH WOW, THAT'S SENSATIONAL!

Receiving the ball at the top of the penalty area, Rashford cuts onto his right and slices diagonally into the penalty area, and he finishes with aplomb as he rifles a screamer across the face of goal and into the top corner. That's truly sensational, and is a prime example of what the England international can do at his very best.

All this with England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands looking on as well!

Watch Marcus Rashford goal in USA:

Marcus Rashford bags a brace in spectacular fashion 😮‍💨🚀 pic.twitter.com/7J3UZoxyNf

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 18, 2025

VIDEO: Watch Rashford goal in UK | Watch in Canada

63rd min: Eddie Howe is taking extreme measures in a response to the goal, as he readies a whopping four changes all at once. Fabian Schar departs having taken a blow to the head, replaced by Malick Thiaw as he walks gingerly to the bench. Nick Woltemade, Joe Willock, and Jacob Murphy all enter alongside the defender, with Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, and Joelinton all replaced.

58th min: GOAL! BARCELONA! MARCUS RASHFORD HAS HIS FIRST GOAL FOR BARCELONA, AS THE VISITORS TAKE THE LEAD!!!

Jules Kounde sends in a cross from outside the right edge of the penalty area, and it finds the head of Rashford who powers the ball on net and out of reach of a diving Nick Pope. That's all too easy for Barcelona, as Fabian Schar has a shake of the head!

Watch Marcus Rashford goal in USA:

Marcus Rashford scores his first goal for Barcelona 🤩

Of course it had to be back on English soil 😶👈 pic.twitter.com/Q7p34VsX2g

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 18, 2025

VIDEO: Watch Rashford goal in UK | Watch in Australia

50th min: There's been no shortage of attacking intent in this game, despite the lack of end product, and that has not changed to start the second half. Joelinton gets his head to a ball inside the six-yard box but disappointingly can't hit the target to test Joan Garcia, while down the other end Marcus Rashford has a shot from 14 yards away blocked away for a corner.

2nd half kickoff: They're back under way for the second half, with no changes as of now for either side. Hansi Flick will have a decision to make eventually on Gerard Martin, his left-back who has been booked. They are thin at the position thanks to an injury to Alex Balde, so if he wishes to protect his defender from further punishment he will have to turn to 18-year-old academy product Jofre Torrents.

HALFTIME: Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona

For how wild this match began, it's pretty incredible how cagey the first 45 minutes ended up being as the halftime whistle blows. There were just 12 shots between the two teams, with Newcastle largely keeping Barcelona at bay.

Anthony Gordon whiffed on a big chance while Harvey Barnes saw a glorious moment turned away by Joan Garcia. Marcus Rashford was bright for Barcelona down the left, but without Lamine Yamal they were largely toothless. We'll see how much the two sides open things up across the second half, if at all, as they search for three points!

45th min: Gerard Martin is the first Barcelona player into the referee's book, shown a yellow card for spilling Bruno Guimaraes to the turf as two minutes of added time are shown.

Moments later Dan Burn is booked for a late challenge on Jules Kounde near the touchline that catches the Barcelona defender in the foot with his studs.

36th min: Barcelona are beginning to grab control of this match now, and have Newcastle pinned back in their own half. The hosts are still very dangerous on the counter, but they've failed to get a hold on the ball since the half-hour mark. Could the momentum be shifting?

28th min: Joelinton is booked for pulling Pedri to the ground by his neck, receiving the game's first yellow card.

24th min: Chance, Newcastle! WHAT A SAVE JOAN GARCIA! Anthony Elanga runs a two-on-two counter-attack, and his cross from the right edge of the penalty area finds Harvey Barnes at the far post. The ball across the face of goal perfectly eludes Jules Kounde, but the Barcelona goalkeeper hurries across his line to make the save at his new near post!

20th min: The match has not lost its energy or attacking intent on either side, but it has lost a bit of execution. Neither side has been able to break down the other as the two teams settle into the match. Lots of final third possession for both sides so far, but nothing much coming from it.

9th min: Chance, Barcelona! Marcus Rashford works one-on-one against Kieran Trippier down the left flank and charges in on goal, but his right-footed effort is just wide of the near post! This game is starting with just as much electricity as we thought it might!

7th min: Chance, Newcastle! Harvey Barnes gets a through-ball from up the gut and is free on goal, but his effort is thwarted by a slight touch from Joan Garcia off his line! It wouldn't have counted anyways, as the offside flag rightly went up, but Newcastle continue to put the clamps on Barcelona's build-up!

6th min: Chance, Newcastle! ANTHONY GORDON COMPLETELY WHIFFS ON A HUGE CHANCE! Newcastle build up the right wing and a cutback by Anthony Elanga is fed from the byline straight to a wide-open Gordon on the penalty spot...but he swings wildly at the ball and completely misses! He had the entire goal to shoot at and doesn't even make contact!

4th min: Much has been made of Barcelona's high line, but Newcastle are the ones pressing extremely high early on, spurned on by the raucous crowd as they try to clamp down on Barcelona's build-up from the back. So far it has not generated turnovers in dangerous positions but they are certainly putting pressure on the visitors.

Kickoff: They're under way at St. James' Park! A deafening rendition of AC/DC's "Back in Black" has rung out over the PA system, while a banner reflected the same to reflect the club's colors.

Back in Black and White… #NUFC pic.twitter.com/foczjd9ijm

— Scott Wilson (@Scottwilsonecho) September 18, 2025

Newcastle vs. Barcelona: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: Raphinha may have won himself a Ballon d'Or on this very Champions League stage, as he equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's record for goal involvements in a single tournament through the 2024/25 campaign. What will he have in store to begin 2025/26? We're about to find out!

Raphinha was directly involved in more goals than any other player in the UEFA Champions League last season (21 goal involvements - 13 goals, 8 assists).

Will he be the biggest threat to Newcastle at St James' Park tonight? pic.twitter.com/kD7q7OF9St

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 18, 2025

30 mins to kickoff: Today Barcelona are on the road, but they had hoped that their home matches would be played back at the renovated Camp Nou at this point. Yet thanks to extensive delays, the club has yet to return to their main stadium, and it appears that will continue.

A report has just emerged that their next Champions League game, a huge matchup of title contenders with PSG, will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, not the Camp Nou. The end of this renovation has turned into a logistical nightmare for the club, its fans, and stakeholders.

More stadium updates.

Barcelona to face Paris Saint-Germain at Montjuic following Camp Nou delays

⁦@TheAthleticFC⁩ https://t.co/KgTUJ1XjwG

— Pol Ballús (@polballus) September 18, 2025

45 mins to kickoff: Anthony Gordon's red card in Premier League play has wide-ranging consequences for the club. With only William Osula as an option other than new signing Nick Woltemade, it forces Eddie Howe to go with Gordon today in a place where he'd probably wish to have Woltemade available.

Newcastle have to navigate today's big Champions League game, a Premier League match against Bournemouth, a tricky EFL Cup match against Bradford City on Wednesday (where Osula will probably start), and then a meeting with Arsenal next weekend. The Gordon red card leaves the Magpies stretched thin, and ultimately forced Howe's hand today.

Anthony Gordon has missed more big chances (3) than any other Premier League player yet to find the back of the net this season. 😫 pic.twitter.com/Z1XbtizOd0

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) September 16, 2025

1 hour to kickoff: What an opportunity today presents for Marcus Rashford to prove to fans in England that they were mistaken to let him go. He gets the start today with Lamine Yamal injured, his first Champions League opportunity with Barcelona having failed to score last year in four appearances for Aston Villa (although he did pick up two assists).

Hansi Flick has been talking Rashford up in the lead-up to this game, backing his new signing to snag his first goal for the club.

🚨🗣️ Hansi Flick on Lamine Yamal’s absence against Newcastle: “We have Rashford, and that’s why he’s here — in case any of our attackers can’t play. He showed on Sunday how good he is, and I hope he shows it again in England.” 👀

“I’ve followed Marcus since he debuted for Man… pic.twitter.com/RMQc22mD57

— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) September 17, 2025

1 hour 15 mins to kick: Lineups are in! Newcastle have gone with Anthony Gordon up top at the striker position, with Nick Woltemade on the bench. This is likely because Gordon is suspended for Premier League play, and Eddie Howe does not wish to put Woltemade in the starting lineup for three games in a week, so Gordon plays today and the new man will take over in Premier League action to come.

The only tweak for Barcelona is that, without Lamine Yamal, Hansi Flick has elected to place Marcus Rashford and Fermin Lopez in the starting lineup, with Ferran Torres on the bench. Frenkie de Jong passes fit to start in midfield.

1 hour 30 mins to kick: Lamine Yamal's absence for Barcelona today and in the immediate future has caused quite a stir. It has even generated a slight rift between Barcelona and the Spanish federation as the two squabble over the cause of the injury.

The Sporting News explained the nature of his injury, how it occurred, why the two entities are at odds over it, and when he may be set to return.

67% - @FCBarcelona have just lost two of their nine matches since the 2023/24 season without Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸 on the pitch in all competitions (W6 D1), compared to 70% with him (W76 D15 L17). Absence.#Barcelona 🩵❤#ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/UJ2hTPoTpk

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 18, 2025

1 hour 45 mins to kick: In today's match programme, Dan Burn has called on Newcastle fans to make this "PSG 2.0" whatever that means!

📖Dan Burn in tonight's programme: "We know we belong on this stage and have a better understanding of what to expect.

"We're more prepared for it now, both psychologically and with the depth of our squad...

"Fans and players alike, let's make this PSG 2.0." pic.twitter.com/iVxpjUG9KZ

— Dominic Scurr (@DomScurr) September 18, 2025

2 hours to kickoff: These Barcelona fans have heard about the atmosphere at St. James' Park, and will be excited to experience it for themselves! The Barcelona squad, however, are unlikely to savour the hostility...

"The atmosphere at St James' Park is the best in the world" 🖤🤍

These Barcelona fans are buzzing to be in Newcastle 🇪🇸✈️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/8ly4GNvTM3

— BBC Sport Tyne & Wear (@bbcnewcastle) September 18, 2025

Newcastle vs. Barcelona kick off time

This UEFA Champions League league phase match kicks off from St. James' Park on Thursday, September 18 at 8 p.m. local time in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England. Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:

Newcastle vs. Barcelona lineups, team news

Newcastle's summer signing Yoane Wissa will not feature after suffering a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo, where he had scored twice. The striker, who joined from Brentford on deadline day, was expected to play a central role but his setback kept him out of the narrow 1-0 win over Wolves at the weekend.

In his place, new arrival Nick Woltemade seized the opportunity, marking his debut with a towering header that sealed all three points for Howe's side. The 23-year-old, who arrived from Stuttgart, is expected to retain his spot up front.

Jacob Ramsey is another absentee as he continues recovery from an ankle problem. Meanwhile, Anthony Gordon is available for selection in Europe despite serving a domestic suspension.

Newcastle starting lineup (4-3-3): Pope (GK) — Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento — Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton — Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.

Newcastle subs: Thompson (GK), Ramsdale (GK), Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Miley, J. Murphy, Willock, A. Murphy, Osula.

The big absentee for Barcelona is Spain star Lamine Yamal, who was left out of the travelling squad due to a persistent groin issue. Gavi remains a long-term absentee with a troubling knee injury that may still require another surgery, while Frenkie de Jong faces a race against time after suffering a muscle issue on international duty with the Netherlands.

The Catalan club are still without experienced goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is recovering from back surgery and not expected to return until later this year, meaning Joan Garcia could start between the posts.

Alejandro Balde is ruled out with a hamstring problem suffered in training and his absence forces changes in defence as Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia are expected to anchor the backline together with Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin.

There is a decision for Hansi Flick as he chooses between Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres in support of the main attacking duo Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona starting lineup (4-2-3-1): J. Garcia (GK) — Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin — de Jong, Pedri — Raphinha, Lopez, Rashford — Lewandowski.

Barcelona subs: Szczesny (GK), Kochen (GK), Casado, Christensen, E. Garcia, Bernal, Jofre, Roony, A. Fernandez, Olmo, F. Torres.

Newcastle vs. Barcelona live stream, TV channel

Here is how to watch the match in some of the world's major regions: