Marcus Rashford has been the subject of widespread praise after his stunning performance for Barcelona against Newcastle United in the Champions League on September 18, 2025. The England forward, currently on loan from Manchester United, scored twice to secure a 2-1 victory for the Blaugrana at St. James' Park.

Rashford's goals were his first for Barcelona since joining the club. His first goal came in the 58th minute when he headed in a cross from Jules Koundé. Less than ten minutes later, he doubled Barcelona's lead with a sensational strike from outside the box that hit the underside of the crossbar before going in.

The brace not only secured a vital win for Barcelona in their Champions League campaign but also marked a significant moment for Rashford, who has faced challenges in recent years. Once considered a future star for both Manchester United and England, his form had dipped, leading to his loan move to Barcelona.

The performance has been met with excitement and admiration from fans and pundits alike. Observers have noted that Rashford appeared revitalized, with his return to England seemingly sparking him back to life. His first goal was described as a header that Alan Shearer would have been proud of, and his second evoked memories of Newcastle's legendary No. 9.

Former teammate Bruno Fernandes reacted to Rashford's performance on Instagram, sharing a clip of the second goal with mind-blown emojis. Ally McCoist, on commentary, was also left in awe, describing the second goal as "absolutely majestic" and "a thing of beauty".

Despite Barcelona's victory, Newcastle put up a strong fight, especially in the first half, causing problems on the break. Anthony Gordon pulled a goal back for the Magpies in the final minutes, but it was not enough to salvage a point.

Rashford's performance has not only boosted Barcelona's Champions League hopes but may have also revived his chances of representing England at next year's World Cup. After the match, Rashford himself expressed his delight with the move to Barcelona, calling it an "amazing experience". He also praised his new manager, Hansi Flick. Some reports suggest that Barcelona may exercise their option to sign Rashford permanently for £30.3 million if he maintains his current form.