Barcelona beat Newcastle 2-1 as Rashford nets twice in group opener

Newcastle United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at St James Park on Wednesday, losing their UEFA Champions League Group stage opener after Marcus Rashford struck twice in the second half. Anthony Gordon scored a late consolation for the hosts, but Newcastle could not find a leveller in front of a vociferous home crowd in the club's first Champions League match of the season.

The game was balanced through much of the first half as Newcastle dominated spells and created the clearer opportunities, but they failed to convert. Rashford broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a headed finish and doubled the visitors' lead nine minutes later with a long-range effort, earning player of the match honours. Gordon reduced the deficit in the 90th minute, but Barcelona held on for the victory.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said his players gave a wholehearted performance but lacked the quality needed to beat top opposition. "Disappointing. We were really in the game. I never felt we were out of it," Howe told broadcasters after the match. "We had the chances to do it. It was a wholehearted gutsy display but maybe lacking the quality to get us the win." Gordon singled out Barcelona's...