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<p>Champions League Hero</p>
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<img alt="Marcus Rashford matches Barcelona Lionel Messi stat after Newcastle heroics" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/rashford-spot-1758233385-178102.png" title="Marcus Rashford matches Barcelona Lionel Messi stat after Newcastle heroics">
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<p>Marcus Rashford made a triumphant return to England after joining Barcelona from Manchester United, reminding skeptics of his undeniable talent. The 27-year-old forward, who has faced challenges over the past two years, netted his first goals for Barcelona with a brace in their 2-1 Champions League victory over Newcastle United.</p>
<p>Rashford's resurgence comes at a pivotal time, with England manager Thomas Tuchel present in the stands. Manchester United supporters might wonder why Ruben Amorim couldn't fully utilize Rashford’s potential. His performance was remarkable, as he became the first Barcelona player since Lionel Messi to achieve six shots, ten touches in the opponent's box, and five dribbles in a Champions League match, according to Opta.</p>
<h2>Analysis of Marcus Rashford’s Performance Against Newcastle United</h2>
<p>Newcastle United kicked off with intense energy before a vibrant St James' Park crowd, but Barcelona held firm and scored twice in the second half. Rashford was relatively quiet in the first half, with his most notable moment being a clever dummy to evade Kieran Trippier in the eighth minute, followed by a shot that went wide. However, he shone in the second half, breaking the deadlock with a precise header in the 58th minute.</p>
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<p>Rashford soon doubled Barcelona's lead with a stunning right-footed strike just nine minutes later, sending a shot past Nick Pope. This marked his seventh goal against Newcastle, with only Leicester City (8) conceding more in his career. Additionally, he has provided four assists against the Magpies, leveling Chelsea as the team he has the most goal contributions against (11).</p>
<p>Although it’s still early in Rashford’s Barcelona career, his brace against Newcastle builds on his initial assist from the weekend match against Valencia. After the game, Rashford expressed his satisfaction with his impact, stating: “It’s going well. I’m enjoying it, and it’s making me a better player. It’s an amazing experience, and I’ve always admired Barcelona. We aim to win as much as possible.”</p>
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