St James’ Park will be rocking as Newcastle make their Champions League return tonight. Barcelona are the visitors to Tyneside on what should be a superb occasion, evoking memories of Tino Asprilla’s famous hat-trick in this same fixture back in 1997, when the LaLiga giants were stunned. How the home faithful would love a repeat performance this evening as Eddie Howe’s side mark their comeback to Europe’s top table, two seasons on from thrashing Paris Saint-Germain on home soil in a short-lived campaign.
Newcastle remain without summer signings Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey due to injury, while club-record arrival Nick Woltemade is only on the bench despite having scored on his debut to secure their first Premier League win of the season against Wolves last weekend. Marcus Rashford is among the travelling contingent for Barcelona and starts once more, hoping to make a real statement on his return to England.
There is no Lamine Yamal for the visitors, however, with the Ballon d’Or contender still sidelined along with the likes of Gavi and Alejandro Balde. Follow Newcastle vs Barcelona in the Champions League live below!
Newcastle vs Barcelona highlights
- GOAL! Gordon halves deficit in stoppage time
- GOAL! Rashford scores brilliant second
- GOAL! Rashford powers home header
Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona
22:04 , George FloodFull-time
A brilliant finish to an engrossing game, but it’s ultimately Marcus Rashford’s night at St James’ Park - and in front of watching England boss Thomas Tuchel, too.
His nine-minute second-half brace - including a sublime second effort - is enough to get Barcelona’s Champions League campaign off and running with a hard-fought win.
A fine effort from Newcastle overall, but Anthony Gordon’s goal proved too little, too late in the end despite that pulsating finish.
Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona
22:01 , George Flood98 mins: An extra minute is played and Newcastle have one final chance to sling the ball into the Barca box.
It breaks kindly for Tonali on the edge, but his low strike is held by Joan Garcia.
And that should be that.
Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona
21:59 , George Flood96 mins: Barca are wasting as much time as they can as they dawdle over a corner on the far side following Ferran Torres’ effort.
Raphinha’s attempt ends up in the hands of Pope and here come Newcastle, halted by a cynical challenge from Casado - who is booked.
He came on for Fermin Lopez a few minutes ago.
Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona
21:57 , George Flood95 mins: Barca almost put a thrilling game to bed as Raphinha finds Olmo, whose first-time strike is saved well low to his left by the hand of Pope.
Burn acrobatically clears.
Newcastle are still alive here... just!
Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona
21:55 , George Flood93 mins: The crowd is alive again on Tyneside!
Assistant coach Graeme Jones has been shown a yellow on the Newcastle bench as the atmosphere becomes fervent once again.
Imagine the noise if Newcastle can pull this off...
GOAL! Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona | Anthony Gordon 90'
21:51 , George Flood90 mins: Now then!
A grandstand finish awaits at a reawakened St James’ Park after a fine response out of nowhere from Newcastle.
Woltemade to Guimaraes, who releases Murphy and his pinpoint low cross is then steered in by Gordon.
SEVEN minutes of added time to find a dramatic equaliser...
Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
21:50 , George Flood87 mins: Barcelona pour forward in search of a third goal, Raphinha initially held up in the box before Fermin Lopez curls well off target.
There has not been much of a response at all from Newcastle since going behind, in truth.
The second Rashford goal rather served to knock the stuffing out of them.
Completely killed that previously electric atmosphere too.
Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
21:48 , George Flood83 mins: Barcelona are playing effective keep ball at the moment.
Newcastle are chasing shadows as time quickly ebbs away.
Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
21:46 , George Flood7 - Marcus Rashford has scored seven goals in his career against Newcastle United in all competitions, only scoring more against Leicester City (8). Familiar. pic.twitter.com/oLSOXIGwyg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 18, 2025
Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
21:43 , George Flood79 mins: Penalty appeals by Ferran Torres are waved away before Rashford goes down, claiming he was elbowed by Thiaw.
The referee isn’t interested and now Rashford slowly makes his way off.
Dani Olmo is on. Gerard Martin has also made way for Eric Garcia.
De Jong into the book for bringing down Tonali.
Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
21:41 , George Flood76 mins: Trippier can’t continue here and Botman is on.
Been a long time since we’ve seen a Rashford performance of this quality.
You’d almost forgotten how good he can be in full flow.
Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
21:38 , George FloodAn emphatic header from Rashford to open the scoring
For the first time since October 2021, Marcus Rashford scores in the Champions League! 👏
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 18, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dI5YZkBCDf
Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
21:36 , George Flood74 mins: Woltemade is slowly starting to add a new dimension to this stalled Newcastle attack.
He flicks down for Guimaraes, whose fierce strike is well saved by Joan Garcia.
Fermin Lopez into the book, Trippier with cramp after sprinting back to try and contain a suddenly supremely confident Rashford, on a hat-trick but just running out of room inside the Newcastle box.
Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
21:35 , George FloodWhat a goal!
A penny for Ruben Amorim’s thoughts...
Marcus Rashford take. A. Bow. 🚀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 18, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/8SDW84n3h2
Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
21:33 , George Flood69 mins: Cubarsi has gone off injured for Barca. Former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen is on.
Ferran Torres has also replaced Lewandowski.
They really look in the mood now as Raphinha cuts in off the right and fires wide of the back post.
GOAL! Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona | Marcus Rashford 67'
21:28 , George Flood67 mins: Another from Rashford... and it’s a beauty!
Burn can’t clear his lines after an initial Rashford header and the England forward beats Tonali before rifling a brilliant dipping effort past Pope and in off the underside of the crossbar.
He looked to hit that off his in-step and the ball swerved all over the place.
Superb. A mountain to climb for Newcastle now.
Newcastle 0-1 Barcelona
21:28 , George FloodAn assist at the weekend and recent goal for England, now Marcus Rashford has his first Champions League goal for four years...
For the first time since October 2021, Marcus Rashford scores in the Champions League! 👏
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 18, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dI5YZkBCDf
Newcastle 0-1 Barcelona
21:25 , George Flood61 mins: Schar, Joelinton, Barnes and, surprisingly, Elanga have all gone off.
On come Thiaw, Willock, Woltemade and Jacob Murphy.
Newcastle 0-1 Barcelona
21:24 , George Flood60 mins: The game is stopped as Schar is down on his haunches and really not right after taking that earlier strike from Rashford full in the face.
Howe is preparing FOUR substitutes here.
GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Barcelona | Marcus Rashford 58'
21:19 , George Flood58 mins: Deadlock broken... and guess who!
Rashford steps away from Schar before powering home a header from Kounde’s pinpoint cross.
He will be delighted with that.
Harsh on Newcastle. Can they respond?
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
21:18 , George Flood56 mins: The latest corner delivery from the left is flicked away from the head of the towering Burn.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
21:17 , George Flood55 mins: Ironic cheers from the home faithful as Rashford’s latest cross/shot goes high and wide.
A real mixed bag of a performance from the Manchester United loanee so far tonight.
Kounde concedes another corner.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
21:15 , George Flood53 mins: Newcastle sustain another bout of pressure, with all of their good play tonight coming down that right-hand flank.
Tonali eventually side-foots a shot that is held by Joan Garcia.
Schar is fine to continue, by the way.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
21:12 , George Flood50 mins: A very dangerous counter-attack by Barca, with Lewandowski nutmegging Trippier before an important last-ditch challenge by Livramento.
Rashford’s powerful follow-up drive inside the box then cannons straight into the face of Schar, who falls to the turf and will need quick treatment.
That looked very painful.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
21:10 , George Flood48 mins: Newcastle are playing some lovely football at the start of this second half, but Tonali delays a pass for Elanga in the right channel.
The Swede has to check his run and the opportunity is lost.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
21:09 , George Flood47 mins: An early corner forced by Newcastle.
Elanga takes it from the left and it’s flicked wide by Joelinton, who easily beat Cubarsi.
An encouraging start to his second half by the hosts, who have their energy back.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
21:07 , George FloodBack underway, no changes from either manager just yet.
How long before Newcastle send for Nick Woltemade?
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
21:05 , George FloodThe players are back out for the second half on Tyneside.
For all Flick’s complaints about that Burn challenge on Kounde, it looked like Gerard Martin’s challenge on Bruno Guimaraes was much worse.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:50 , George FloodHalf-time
Apparently Hansi Flick wanted red for that foul by Burn on Kounde.
An utterly engrossing but ultimately goalless first half draws to a close at St James’ Park.
Not too many clear-cut chances despite the exciting and frenetic nature of a game played amid a red-hot atmosphere, Barnes having the best when he was denied by Joan Garcia.
Gordon also struck fresh air when trying to finish off the dangerous Elanga’s cut-back in the opening exchanges.
Eddie Howe will be pleased with his side’s efforts thus far.
Flick will be wanting more.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:49 , George Flood47 mins: Kounde is rolling around off the pitch after being caught painfully on the ankle following a clearance by the long legs of a lunging Burn.
A yellow card for the towering Newcastle centre-back.
The home fans are not happy with that.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:46 , George Flood45 mins: Gerard Martin scythes down Guimaraes and joins Joelinton in the book.
A long time to last on a yellow card up against Elanga.
Two minutes of added time have been signalled at the end of this first half as Guimaraes receives treatment.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:45 , George Flood42 mins: More promising build-up from Newcastle and Elanga, with Gordon scampering to collect a poor cross by Joelinton and earning another corner off Kounde.
A solid defensive header from Barca and now Livramento’s cross is easily gathered by Joan Garcia.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:43 , George Flood40 mins: The momentum in this absorbing opening period continues to swing sharply back and forth, a well-earned Newcastle corner from Trippier is parried away by Joan Garcia before being helped out by Rashford.
Araujo repels another ball into the Barca box and now the offside flag is up.
Great noise still from the home fans.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:40 , George Flood38 mins: This is dangerous for Newcastle now as Barcelona begin to dominate possession just outside their box as this electric first half wears on.
Some lovely neat little touches and a tidy flick by Fermin Lopez, with Schar flinging himself at a shot by Rashford.
Now they have a free-kick in a decent position after Guimaraes’ foul on Brazil team-mate Raphinha, who fires high and into the Gallowgate End.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:37 , George Flood35 mins: Barca build some pressure now and Schar blocks their first shot of the night from Lewandowski, who can’t get another effort away at the back post.
Now he sees a strike blocked by Livramento and it’s into the side netting on the volley from Raphinha, who was being watched closely by Trippier.
All a bit panicked at the back there by Newcastle, who could not escape the box or clear their lines.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:34 , George Flood33 mins: Barcelona captain Araujo goes down heavily after an aerial tussle with Trippier.
Looks to have had the wind knocked out of him, but will be fine to carry on.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:33 , George Flood32 mins: Barcelona can’t pick out Raphinha inside the box and it’s a goal kick for Pope.
Schar clatters into Lewandowski again, the Polish striker putting up three fingers to the referee to signal how many times he’s been fouled already by the Newcastle centre-back.
No caution though. Yet.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:31 , George Flood30 mins: Newcastle remain by far the more dangerous team at St James’ Park as they sustain more pressure on the half-hour mark.
Elanga the dangerman again down that right flank, but Kounde intervenes to stop Barnes turning home his latest low cross at the back post.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:30 , George Flood28 mins: The frenetic pace of this game continues and we have our first yellow card after Joelinton pulls down Pedri.
He can have no complaints about that.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:28 , George Flood26 mins: Raphinha earns Barca’s first corner of the night off Livramento.
Newcastle stand firm and Livramento looks to break quickly, but it’s a fine challenge to snuff out the counter by Rashford.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:25 , George Flood24 mins: Barca are opened up on the break!
Barnes is denied by Joan Garcia after Elanga is sent through by Bruno Guimaraes following a nice pass by Trippier.
Sumptuous stuff from Newcastle, whose long throw-in from the left is cleared.
Pedri was fouled there anyway.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:24 , George Flood22 mins: Better defending this time from Gerard Martin to dispossess Elanga.
Barca come the other way and Rashford tees up an overlapping Raphinha.
Joelinton gets his feet in a muddle but just about manages to clear.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:22 , George Flood20 mins: Trippier’s free-kick is headed away by Araujo after Cubarsi brings down Gordon.
Barnes is then helped out by Trippier as Rashford attempts to lead another speedy Barcelona counter-attack.
A great battle now between Tonali and Lewandowski in the middle of the park.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:20 , George Flood18 mins: Raphinha flights in a menacing cross for Lewandowski, who is cleaned out by an authoritative punch from Pope.
He also made plenty of contact with the ball.
Really strong goalkeeping from Newcastle’s No1.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:19 , George Flood16 mins: Having weathered a bit of an early storm, Barcelona have settled down now and are beginning to ask questions of the Newcastle defence.
Good defending from Burn to ensure the ball doesn’t run through for Raphinha.
Barca also having to be alert at the back to cut off the supply line to Gordon.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:17 , George Flood14 mins: Newcastle go short again and Trippier’s cross is eventually plucked out of the air confidently by Joan Garcia.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:16 , George Flood13 mins: Trippier declines to shoot on his weaker left foot after Elanga almost goes through.
Instead he lofts it over to Barnes, whose effort is deflected behind by Kounde.
Newcastle rather waste a short corner and are relieved to get a second in quick succession.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:14 , George Flood11 mins: An incredible pace to this game early on.
Raphinha can’t make the most of a chance inside the Newcastle box and Lewandowski is unhappy with a challenge from Schar.
A stoppage now as Livramento goes down needing attention.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:11 , George Flood9 mins: Action at both ends as a dangerous low ball into the Barcelona box is dived upon by Joan Garcia.
Barca break and Rashford runs at Trippier before rolling a low shot well wide of the near post.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:09 , George Flood7 mins: Such a good start this from Newcastle as Guimaraes slides in Barnes, with the ball deflecting off Joan Garcia as he tries to dink the finish.
But the offside flag is up.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:08 , George Flood5 mins: What a chance for Newcastle to take an early lead!
Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes combine nicely to release Elanga, who is in behind Gerard Martin as he pulls back into the box but it’s a complete miscue from Gordon!
Golden opportunity spurned. Wow.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:06 , George Flood4 mins: Barcelona withstand Trippier’s testing free-kick into the box.
More determined high pressing from energetic Newcastle puts Joan Garcia under all sorts of pressure once again.
They are feeding off this amazing energy from the crowd and nervy-looking Barca are caught out again.
Newcastle 0-0 Barcelona
20:03 , George Flood3 mins: Barcelona are pressed hard straight from kick-off, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia under huge early pressure.
Newcastle win the ball high up the pitch, with fans’ screams for a penalty going unheard after a tussle between Araujo and Barnes.
Loud ironic cheers then greet a wayward strike from Fermin Lopez at the other end.
That was never troubling Pope.
Newcastle vs Barcelona
20:02 , George FloodHere we go!
Barcelona, in their luminous orange away strips, get us underway.
Glenn Nyberg of Sweden is tonight’s referee, with Frenchman Jerome Brisard on VAR duty.
Newcastle vs Barcelona
19:57 , George FloodWhat a roar to greet the players as they emerge from the tunnel.
The ground looks so good as the classic Champions League anthem blares out.
A stunning pre-match scene, as expected.
Strong Tifo and flag game at St James’ Park, which is already so loud as we await the return of the players.
Ally McCoist will also be thrilled with the AC/DC playlist.
Final preparations
19:48 , George FloodFinal preparations on Tyneside!
This has all the hallmarks of another special, special night at St James’ Park...
Woltemade benching a surprise
19:43 , George FloodI think Hansi Flick might be slightly relieved to see Nick Woltemade not starting for Newcastle tonight.
“I think he has a lot of potential to improve,” Flick said of his compatriot yesterday.
“I'm really happy Germany now has a number nine, a really good number nine.”
Atmosphere rocking at St James' Park
19:32 , George FloodWhat an incredible atmosphere we have in store at a rocking St James’ Park tonight...
Sound on 🔊
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 18, 2025
The Newcastle fans are out in deafening voice already! ⚫️⚪️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ATTWG0sB9v
Tino Asprilla in the house
19:24 , George FloodLook who’s in attendance at St James’ Park tonight!
Newcastle cult hero Faustino ‘Tino’ Asprilla is the guest of honour, 28 years on from *that* hat-trick that secured a shock 3-2 win over Barcelona in the club’s first-ever Champions League fixture.
Rivaldo, Luis Enrique and Luis Figo were among the players in the Barca team that night.
They lost the return fixture 1-0, with Barcelona also winning both games against Newcastle during the 2002/03 campaign under Sir Bobby Robson.
Rashford starts as Barcelona make four changes
19:05 , George FloodThere are four changes to the Barcelona team that hit Valencia for six in LaLiga on Sunday to continue their unbeaten start to the new campaign.
Ronald Araujo replaces Eric Garcia at centre-back, with Marc Casado making way for the returning Frenkie de Jong in midfield.
In a formidable attack, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski are restored in place of Roony Bardghji and Ferran Torres.
Another start for Marcus Rashford too.
Gordon replaces Woltemade in Newcastle attack
19:00 , George FloodEddie Howe makes two attacking changes to the Newcastle team that achieved their first win of the season at home to Wolves on Saturday.
Anthony Gordon starts amid his domestic suspension, meaning club-record signing Nick Woltemade - the match-winner on his Magpies debut - drops to the bench.
Anthony Elanga also replaces Jacob Murphy.
Barcelona team
18:50 , George FloodBarcelona XI: Joan Garcia, Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, De Jong, Pedri, Fermin, Raphinha, Rashford, Lewandowski
Subs: Ferran, Christensen, Casado, Olmo, Bernal, Eric, Szczesny, Jofre, Roony, Fernandez, Kochen
Newcastle team
18:48 , George FloodNewcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Subs: Thompson, Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Osula, J Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, A Murphy, Miley
Barcelona out to banish memories of painful semi-final exit
18:43 , George FloodBarcelona had quite the eventful run in Europe last season, finishing second behind only Liverpool in the inaugural league phase of the Champions League.
They then eased past Benfica in the last 16 and held off a spirited Borussia Dortmund comeback in the quarter-finals before losing an absolute classic semi-final tie against Inter Milan, 7-6 on aggregate.
Can they go all the way this time for what would be a sixth title?
"I don't know, I don't think about this because I know that it's a long, long way and we have fantastic teams in this competition,” Hansi Flick said yesterday.
"Everyone at the end wants to win the Champions League and we also. I have the feeling in Barcelona everyone is looking for that.
"But what I can say is we will work hard, we will learn every day to get better and better, and we will see what happens at the end of the season."
Hansi Flick hails 'unbelievable' Marcus Rashford
18:30 , George FloodWe’ll see what kind of role Marcus Rashford has for the visitors tonight, having made his second start for Barcelona and registered a first goal involvement with an assist for Raphinha in Sunday’s 6-0 rout of Valencia in LaLiga.
That followed his late penalty in England’s recent 5-0 win over Serbia in World Cup qualifying, with the Manchester United loanee now eager to prove a point on his return to home soil.
Hansi Flick was full of praise for Rashford ahead of tonight’s game on Tyneside, calling him “unbelievable”.
"I think I have to look a little bit back because I have really followed Marcus since he started at Manchester and I always said 'Wow! What kind of player he is, he is unbelievable',” said the Barcelona boss.
"He has speed but also in a one-against-one situation, he's really fantastic and also his finishing, it's unbelievable.
"What I saw in the first weeks here, it's really good and I think he also some more potential he can show us and of course he wants to do this.
“For me, it's great to have in in my team."
Newcastle looking to make early statement in Europe
18:20 , George FloodHere’s more from Eddie Howe on if Newcastle are now better equipped for the rigours of the Champions League...
“Well, that experience of [the PSG game], the size and magnitude of all the games we played, everything that goes into a Champions League game is different from the Premier League,” he said.
“It feels different, the build-up is different. We hadn't done that before and that experience will help us.
“I think the squad is arguably stronger than it was two years ago. Certainly the squad is different and I will back the quality we have.
“They are all tough games, tough-looking fixtures and the early games are really important for us to set the foundations.”
Eddie Howe: Newcastle not here to make up the numbers
18:11 , George FloodNo Newcastle fan could ever forget that stunning 4-1 demolition of PSG in 2023 in their first fixture back in the Champions League for some 20 years.
However, it was to be their only win as they wound up bottom of a ‘Group of Death’ also containing AC Milan and eventual finalists Borussia Dortmund.
This time, Eddie Howe insists his side are better prepared to progress in the new iteration of the competition.
“There were a lot of unknowns last time,” he said.
“The focus was always on trying to get through the group stage, but there was a feeling we were experiencing something new.
"We enjoyed it, but ultimately we failed, so this time the resolve is stronger to try and progress, not just to enjoy the experience, but to try to make it a meaningful one.
"We've done that historically in the past, learning things and trying to add layers - whether that's the preparation or whatever - and trying to build on it."
Sir Bobby Robson tributes
18:02 , George FloodBrilliant to see all the tributes to the late, great Sir Bobby Robson tonight.
A legend at both clubs who would have loved this occasion.
Sir Bobby 🖤🤍💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/jjq784ZjPr
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) September 18, 2025
Eddie Howe 'disappointed' by Lamine Yamal absence
17:59 , George FloodMost managers would be absolutely thrilled to see a player as talented as Lamine Yamal missing from an opponents’ team sheet.
That is not the case for Eddie Howe, who wanted his Newcastle side to face the challenge that the ultra-gifted 18-year-old would undoubtedly have posed tonight.
"For me, it's a shame he's not playing,” Howe said of Yamal at his pre-match press conference yesterday.
“I'm disappointed that we don't get to see him at his best playing in the game.
"But whoever they play, they've got real pace in wide areas, we know that.
“They've got international players that will challenge us in different ways, so I think structurally our team performance has got to be really strong, we've got to defend well in wide areas, so we're looking forward to that battle.”
Newcastle vs Barcelona prediction
17:48 , George FloodThis is a very close one to call, and Newcastle will definitely be boosted by the absence of Lamine Yamal.
That said, Barca do, of course, have a very strong squad regardless, and they will be the Magpies’ sternest test until Eddie Howe’s men travel to France to take on the holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Newcastle thrashed the Ligue 1 side 4-1 on their Champions League return back in 2023, and the St James’ atmosphere will be electric as they welcome top-tier continental football back to the North East.
Draw, 2-2.
Barcelona team news
17:45 , George FloodThe headline team news from Barcelona’s perspective concerns the absence of teenage superstar and Ballon d’Or contender Lamine Yamal, who remains sidelined with a groin issue suffered while recently playing for Spain.
Hansi Flick is also without left-back Alejandro Balde and midfielder Gavi.
However, Frenkie de Jong is back in the fold after missing Sunday’s 6-0 demolition of Valencia in LaLiga.
Newcastle team news
17:42 , George FloodNewcastle remain without Deadline Day signing Yoane Wissa, whom Eddie Howe said yesterday was expected back in action after the October international break following a knee injury suffered while away with the DR Congo.
It’s the same case for fellow summer arrival Jacob Ramsey, who hurt his ankle in the Premier League draw with Leeds earlier this month.
However, Anthony Gordon is available in the Champions League amid his three-game domestic ban following a red card in the last-gasp defeat by Liverpool.
How to watch Newcastle vs Barcelona
17:38 , George FloodTV channel: Tonight’s match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Newcastle vs Barcelona live
17:35 , George FloodGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s latest live coverage of matchday 1 in the league phase of the 2025/26 Champions League.
Our focus here is on events at what will be a bouncing St James’ Park, where Newcastle make their return to Europe’s elite club competition with a huge showdown against the mighty Barcelona.
Kick-off on Tyneside tonight is at 8pm BST, so stay tuned for build-up, team news and live updates.
This should be a cracker!
