Marcus Rashford was in form for Barcelona in their thumping win over Celta Vigo and the England star was also at the centre of the reaction in the Spanish media
Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Marcus Rashford during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RC Celta de Vigo and FC Barcelona
Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Marcus Rashford
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Marcus Rashford netted a brace for Barcelona as they strolled to victory at Celta Vigo on Sunday. His double assist haul for rejuvenated Robert Lewandowski continued an impressive streak for the former Aston Villa loanee.
Hansi Flick's outfit entered the weekend trailing La Liga pacesetters Real Madrid by five points. Yet Barca narrowed the deficit to merely three points following Los Blancos' goalless draw with local rivals Rayo Vallecano earlier on Sunday.
The performance wasn't without its flaws, as highlighted by sections of the Spanish press. Nevertheless, the overall response to Rashford's pivotal double assist was favourable, with Lewandowski - who settled the contest through his treble - profiting enormously from the Englishman's contribution.
Mundo Deportivo proved especially appreciative of the one-time Villa player, branding him "one of the key players in Vigo".
His influence extended beyond direct goal involvement, with his set-piece delivery proving lethal on the western coastline.
"The English striker improved his pressing performance and delivered three corners that resulted in goals," stated an extract from the publication's match report.
"Rashford worked hard to press in defence better than in recent matches, outpaced [Oscar] Mingueza and ended up being decisive with three crosses that ended in goals, two to Lewandowski, one of them from a corner, and one that Ilaix [Moriba] deflected and Lamine Yamal finished."
The same report praised Rashford's "excellent passing ability" and outlined precisely how crucial his pressing became in disrupting Celta's tempo.
El Pais, meanwhile, noted that Rashford was "the Barcelona player who is taking on defenders most often when he receives the ball at his feet".
The same publication celebrated the Englishman's "superb" delivery to Lewandowski for the opener at 2-1. Sergio Carreira's early leveller maintained the contest for much of the opening period, but it wasn't long before Borja Iglesias restored parity once again before half-time.
It wasn't entirely positive coverage, however, as Sport highlighted the striker's "unforgivable mistake" in squandering a golden one-on-one opportunity against Celta goalkeeper Ionut Radu. That error in isolation might not have proved so costly had Carreira not netted his equaliser straight from the ensuing Celta breakaway.
"He had time, space, and every option, but his finish was weak, almost a pass to the goalkeeper," stated the analysis of his wasted chance. "The clearest chance of the match evaporated without consequence... or at least, without the desired one."
Yet another segment of the same publication elevated Rashford for the contributions that did find their target. His "exceptional attacking performance" was considered even more impressive given that Lamine Yamal endured a disappointing opening half in Vigo.
"Rashford was a constant threat from the start of the match," read one passage. "He wasn't clinical with his first scoring opportunity, and in fact, Celta's first equaliser came after the England international squandered a one-on-one with Radu that could have put Barça 2-0 up.
"However, this setback didn't faze Marcus, who ended up having a magnificent game and being the originator of three of the team's four goals at Balaidos. His crosses for Lewandowski's second and third goals were impeccable, and the Polish striker made the most of them."
Rashford, who could disrupt Liverpool's January transfer strategy, enters the international break having registered at least one goal or assist in seven of his previous eight league appearances. England manager Thomas Tuchel will be hoping to see this form of the forward return for the Three Lions' forthcoming fixtures against Serbia and Albania.