Marcus Rashford scored a wonderful double against Newcastle to see Barcelona ease to a 2-1 victory in their opening Champions League fixture of the season.
Barca called upon all their European experience to down a hearty Geordies side, who did not lack endeavour but were missing some much-needed quality.
It goes without saying that St. James' Park was rocking ahead of kick-off as they prepared to host the five-time Champions League winners.
And the Newcastle players helped liven the crowd with a fiery start to the match but Barcelona handled the atmosphere well and picked them off after they fizzled out.
Marcus Rashford had a night to remember as he scored two fine goals to help Barcelona beat Newcastle
|REUTERS
And it was a familiar face on these shores that did the damage, with Rashford scoring his first goals for Barcelona this season after joining on loan from Manchester United.
The first came after the England international planted a header past Nick Pope from a Jules Kounde cross with fine precision after the break.
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But the 27-year-old was not finished and, after riding a couple of challenge, dispatched a jaw-dropping strike that flew past Pope with dazzling power.
The Magpies keeper never saw the ball, with Rashford showing a glimpse of his former self the way he struck the ball - nicking the crossbar as it dipped into the top corner.
Anthony Gordon did strike late into the contest after a lovely move, that saw a low cross from Jacob Murphy converted by the Newcastle forward - but it was too little too late.
The loss will hurt Newcastle fans but there is plenty of football left to play in the Champions League - seven matches to be precise - and they face Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise next in Europe before further fixtures against Benfica, Athletic Bilbao and Marseille.
So, what did we learn tonight? GB News has all the details.
All gas no brakes
Newcastle lacked composure in attack and the occasion might have got to a couple of players
|REUTERS
As expected, there was plenty of gusto in Newcastle's step and, while it made for a fine spectacle, it seemed to hinder them a bit going forward too.
Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes and Gordon were all guilty of rushing their decisions and a little bit of composure would have gone a long way in the attacking third.
Barcelona's defence was there for the taking, Newcastle got in behind them on several occasions but they could not make their best of their attacking positions after some poor decisions.
Joelinton was also guilty of agitation, often blasting the ball forward with no real thought when a touch or at least a look up would have been better.
Wrong striker choice
It is not often that Newcastle have the luxury of a £75million striker on the bench but there was no need on Thursday night.
Nick Woltemade would have been the perfect player to stick up top with the number of crosses Newcastle tried to deliver into the box.
The 6ft6 striker was surely the obvious pick over Gordon, especially with the likes of Kieran Trippier being able to ping in a corner for the big man.
Gordon's pace on the counter was no doubt the tactic preferred by Howe, but with Elanga and Barnes already in the side, playing an actual No. 9 would have given them something to aim for.
Rashford makes his mark
Marcus Rashford take. A. Bow. 🚀
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With England boss Thomas Tuchel watching on, Rashford had the ideal chance to remind everyone here on these shores why he is still a top player.
And he did exactly that with a top header from a Kounde cross, just drifting from Fabian Schar to allow him a tad of space to direct his effort past Nick Pope.
This was also Rashford's first Barcelona goal since making the move from Manchester United, making him the first Englishman to score for Los Cules since Gary Lineker in 1989.
There is still plenty for the forward to learn at Barca, who apart from the goal would have preferred a better night in terms of his all-round play.
But he is finally off the mark for the Spanish giants, and with the World Cup coming next year and Tuchel in town, that will only boost his cause to be on that plane to America next summer.