UEFA Champions League League Stage - 1
Newcastle 1 - 2 FT Barcelona
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
28' Joelinton
Gerard Martín 45'
45'+2 Dan Burn
HT
M. Rashford (J. Kounde) 58'
63' ↓ F. Schar ↑M. Thiaw
63' ↓ Joelinton ↑J. Murphy
63' ↓ H. Barnes ↑N. Woltemade
63' ↓ A. Elanga ↑J. Willock
M. Rashford 67'
↓ R. Lewandowski ↑F. Torres 69'
↓ P. Cubarsi ↑A. Christensen 69'
Fermín López 75'
76' ↓ K. Trippier ↑S. Botman
↓ M. Rashford ↑D. Olmo 81'
↓ G. Martin ↑E. Garcia 81'
Frenkie de Jong 82'
90' A. Gordon (J. Murphy)
↓ F. Lopez ↑M. Casado 90'+3
Marc Casadó 90'+7
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Newcastle
Goalkeepers
N. Pope
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
K. Trippier 
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
4
tackles
50%
duel win %
F. Schar 
SWEEPER
4
cleanups
4
cleanups
0
interceptions
4
blocks
D. Burn 
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
19%
pass acc
6.3
rating
V. Livramento
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
23%
pass acc
6.6
rating
Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes
SWEEPER
2
cleanups
2
cleanups
2
interceptions
0
blocks
S. Tonali
SWEEPER
2
cleanups
2
cleanups
2
interceptions
0
blocks
Joelinton
NPC
62
minutes
62
minutes
13%
pass acc
6.5
rating
BENCH
M. Thompson 
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
A. Ramsdale
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
L. Hall 
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
S. Botman
CAMEO
14
minutes
14
minutes
8
touches
None
events
M. Thiaw
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Krafth
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
A. Murphy
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
J. Murphy 
SUPER SUB
0
impact
0
impact
27
minutes
7
rating
J. Willock
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Miley
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
W. Osula
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
N. Woltemade
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Barcelona
Goalkeepers
J. Garcia 
ARCHITECT
1
key passes
1
key passes
0
assists
21%
pass acc
Defenders
J. Kounde
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
3
tackles
55%
duel win %
R. Araujo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. Cubarsi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Martin
SWEEPER
4
cleanups
4
cleanups
3
interceptions
1
blocks
Midfielders
F. de Jong 
MAGNET
95
activity
95
activity
87
passes
8
duels
Pedri
MAGNET
104
activity
104
activity
92
passes
12
duels
Raphinha
ARCHITECT
4
key passes
4
key passes
0
assists
32%
pass acc
F. Lopez 
STORMTROOPER
2
shots
2
shots
0
goals
0
on target
M. Rashford 
HITMAN
2
goals
2
goals
2
on target
8.9
rating
Forwards
R. Lewandowski
NPC
70
minutes
70
minutes
7%
pass acc
6.5
rating
BENCH
W. Szczesny
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
D. Kochen
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
A. Christensen
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Garcia 
PROVOCATEUR
2
fouls won
2
fouls won
2
Duels Won
0
pens won
J. Torrents
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
M. Casado
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Olmo
CAMEO
8
minutes
8
minutes
12
touches
None
events
M. Bernal
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
F. Torres
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Bardghji
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
T. Fernandez
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
League Standings
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +18
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -10
P: 7 GD: -12
P: 7 GD: -9
P: 7 GD: -11
P: 7 GD: -10
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Rashford's Clinical Edge Seals Barcelona Victory at St. James' Park
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 51/100. Barcelona's precision finishing in the second half proved the difference in a match where possession dominance met Newcastle's desperate late resistance.
The Turning Point: Rashford Takes Control
Intensity shifted decisively in the 58th minute when Marcus Rashford converted Jules Kounde's assist to break the deadlock at St. James' Park. The Barcelona winger's movement in the box exposed Newcastle's defensive frailty, and nine minutes later, Rashford struck again—this time unassisted—to effectively settle the contest. His brace, coupled with Barcelona's 64% possession stranglehold, painted a picture of clinical European football overwhelming the hosts' counter-attacking ambitions.
Newcastle's Possession Trap
Newcastle controlled just 36% of the ball but carved out genuine opportunities, registering 10 shots with six on target. Nick Pope made three crucial saves to keep the deficit manageable, yet the Magpies' inability to convert their chances proved costly. The Balance of the match—Barcelona's methodical control versus Newcastle's explosive but infrequent breaks—favoured the visitors' experience. When Anthony Gordon finally breached Barcelona's defence in the 90th minute, assisted by Joe Murphy, it came too late to alter the narrative.
Garcia's Masterclass in Goal
Joan García emerged as Barcelona's unsung architect, producing five saves to repel Newcastle's attacking forays. His distribution and command of the box—evidenced by one key pass—underlined why European football demands goalkeeping excellence beyond shot-stopping. Newcastle's 1.46 expected goals versus Barcelona's 1.31 exposed a cruel truth: the team that controlled the game converted when it mattered most.
Key Questions
What made Joan García the Man of the Match?
Five crucial saves under sustained Newcastle pressure, plus commanding distribution, made García the architect of Barcelona's clean defensive performance despite the hosts' second-half onslaught.
How did Newcastle's late goal change the narrative?
Gordon's 90th-minute finish salvaged pride but arrived too late. It proved Newcastle created chances yet lacked the clinical edge Barcelona demonstrated throughout the second half.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Giants Collide on Tyneside Opening Night
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 11/100. A tactical chess match where the Magpies' high-octane pressure meets the technical composure of the Catalan visitors.
The Setup
The lights of St. James' Park provide the backdrop for a massive opening fixture in the UEFA Champions League league stage. Both Newcastle and Barcelona enter this continental campaign looking to secure a foothold in the race for the top-eight direct qualification spots. Domestic performance for both sides has been a mixed bag; while Newcastle shows a resilient Form with three wins in their last five, their 12th-place standing suggests they are still finding their clinical edge. Barcelona arrives with a similar points tally but sits 15th in Spain, making the continental Stakes feel even higher as they seek to prove their elite Balance on the European stage.
Key Battle
The primary tactical friction will occur between Newcastle’s engine room and Barcelona’s creative hub. The home side’s midfield unit is designed to disrupt and suffocate, relying on high-intensity pressing to force turnovers in dangerous areas. Conversely, Barcelona’s midfield setup prioritizes ball retention and patience. If the visitors can bypass the initial wave of the Newcastle press, they will find space to exploit, but failure to do so could see them overwhelmed by the atmosphere and physical Stars of the Premier League outfit.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey opening half as both managers prioritise defensive stability over early risks. Newcastle will likely dominate the physical duels, fueled by the home crowd, but Barcelona’s European experience should allow them to weather the storm. A 1-1 draw feels inevitable, with a late equaliser potentially salvaging a point for the visitors after a period of sustained home pressure. Neither side will want to drop points on Matchday 1, likely leading to a tactical stalemate late in the game.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Yes. The clash of styles between English intensity and Spanish technicality makes it a fascinating tactical watch.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 1-1 draw is the most likely result as both teams avoid early league stage risks.
Where are Newcastle and Barcelona in the league table?
Newcastle currently occupies 12th in the Premier League, while Barcelona sits 15th in La Liga.
What is Newcastle's current form?
Their recent domestic **Form** is DLWWW, showing three wins in their last five competitive matches.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.