AFCON 2025
Barcelona and Sporting CP both made winning starts to their UEFA Champions League campaigns tonight, recording important group stage victories against Newcastle United and Kairat Almaty respectively.
At St James’ Park, Barcelona edged Newcastle 2-1 in a tense and hard-fought contest. The hosts began brightly, pressing high and creating chances, but it was Marcus Rashford who stole the show on his European debut for Barça.
The forward struck twice in the space of nine minutes during the second half — first with a precise header from Jules Koundé’s delivery, then with a thunderous strike from distance that silenced the home crowd.
Newcastle refused to give in and Anthony Gordon’s late goal set up a nervy finale, but Barcelona’s defence held firm to secure three points on the road.
Meanwhile in Lisbon, Sporting CP produced a dominant display to dispatch Kairat Almaty 4-1. The Kazakh champions initially frustrated the Portuguese side, but once Francisco Trincão found his rhythm, there was no way back for the visitors.
The winger netted a brace, while Alisson Santos and Geovany Quenda also got on the scoresheet to underline Sporting’s superiority. Kairat, competing in the group stage for the first time, grabbed a consolation late on but were ultimately overpowered.
The results put Barcelona and Sporting in strong early positions in their respective groups, with Rashford and Trincão emerging as standout performers on a night that could prove pivotal in shaping their teams’ European ambitions.
