Rashford's Brace Lifts Barcelona, Haaland Hits Milestone 50 as Champions League Roars Back

Marcus Rashford scored his first goals for Barcelona as the Spanish champions launched their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Thursday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, broke the deadlock just before the hour mark by heading in Jules Kounde’s cross, before unleashing a thunderous strike from distance to double the lead midway through the second half. Anthony Gordon pulled one back for Newcastle, but Xavi’s men, semi-finalists last season, held firm.“It’s an amazing experience playing for Barcelona. I’ve always been a huge admirer of the club. We just want to win as much as possible,” said Rashford.Haaland’s half-centuryAt the Etihad, Erling Haaland continued his remarkable scoring record as Manchester City, the 2023 winners, overcame Napoli 2-0. The Serie A champions’ hopes were dented when skipper Giovanni Di Lorenzo was sent off in the first half for bringing down Haaland.Pep Guardiola’s side capitalised, with Haaland nodding in a Phil Foden assist early in the second half for his 50th Champions League goal in just 49 appearances. Jeremy Doku added a second as City extended Napoli’s winless run in England to 13 games.“The numbers speak for themselves,” Guardiola said. “Along with Ronaldo and Messi, Erling is there. In terms of goals, he is unbelievable.”Frankfurt hit five, Leverkusen deniedEintracht Frankfurt were the night’s biggest winners, thrashing Galatasaray 5-1. After Davinson Sanchez’s own goal levelled Yunus Akgun’s opener, Can Uzun and Jonathan Burkardt scored in first-half stoppage time. Burkardt struck again after the break before Ansgar Knauff sealed victory.Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen rescued a 2-2 draw at FC Copenhagen thanks to Pantelis Hatzidiakos’s stoppage-time own goal. Alejandro Grimaldo’s free-kick had earlier cancelled out Jordan Larsson’s opener, but Robert’s late strike for Copenhagen looked decisive until the dramatic finale.Brugge stun Monaco, Sporting cruiseClub Brugge, last-16 qualifiers in 2024, produced a statement 4-1 win over Monaco. After Maghnes Akliouche missed a penalty for the visitors, Nicolo Tresoldi, Raphael Onyedika and Hans Vanaken all scored before Mamadou Diakhon added a fourth. Ansu Fati’s late goal was only consolation for Monaco.Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon also impressed, brushing aside Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty 4-1. Francisco Trincao netted twice while Alisson Santos and Geovany Quenda struck in quick succession. Edmilson replied for Kairat, who face Real Madrid next.