Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United 1-1 Barcelona player ratings: Here’s how Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali and co fared.
Eddie Howe made three changes from the side that lost 3-1 at home to Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday with Dan Burn, Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey coming in for Sven Botman, Nick Woltemade and Joe Willock.
Newcastle’s top scorer Anthony Gordon, who has found the net 10 times in the Champions League so far this season, remains on the bench after suffering with illness and an ankle issue. William Osula, Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes are United’s front three once again.
It’s the first time Osula has started successive games for Newcastle since he arrived at the club from Sheffield United for £10million in August 2024.
Newcastle worked hard in the first half in an attempt to find a breakthrough, but it was to no avail as the sides went in goalless at the break.
Joelinton had the ball in the net heading into the closing stages, but the flag was up for offside.
But Newcastle eventually found the breakthrough with four minutes of normal time remaining as Jacob Murphy’s cross was volleyed in by Harvey Barnes at the back post to make it 1-0.
Malick Thiaw then conceded a 95th-minute penalty which was converted by Lamine Yamal to make it 1-1 with the last kick of the game.
Here are the Newcastle United ratings from the match...
Aaron Ramsdale - 6
Had little to do but distributed the ball well. Couldn’t be the hero at the end
Kieran Trippier - 8
Fell awkwardly towards the end of the first half but battled on brilliantly. Inconsistent with his set-pieces but otherwise excellent.
Malick Thiaw - 7
Kept his composure when under pressure and protected his goal well, only to concede a 94th minute penalty for tripping Dani Olmo.
Dan Burn - 7
Couldn’t quite connect with Sandro Tonali’s header as Barcelona scrambled to clear the danger. Almost scored an own goal trying to cut out a low cross into the box. Defended well but unconvincing with the ball at his feet.
Lewis Hall - 9
Did brilliantly to carry the ball forward and slip in William Osula, who couldn’t convert. Was brilliant with the ball at his feet and posed an attacking threat.
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Sandro Tonali - 7
Mopped things up well but lacked conviction with his passing. Booked.
Jacob Ramsey - 8
Returned to the side with some intent, winning an early corner with a good run from deep. A top-quality midfield display.
Joelinton - 8
Pushed high to try and put Barcelona under pressure. An enforcer in the middle of the mark and had the ball in the net only to be penalised for being offside.
Anthony Elanga - 7
Denied by a good save from Joan Garcia early on. Was a threat with his pace, just lacked the execution. Put a decent ball in for Osula, which the forward headed over and another that just missed the forward’s foot. Hit a shot from distance straight at the Barcelona goalkeeper.
Harvey Barnes - 8
Got into some good positions down the left, but conceded possession too many occasions. Forced a save from the goalkeeper and hit the post in the second half. In the right place to volley Newcastle in front in the closing stages. A true moments player.
William Osula - 6
Had a good early chance but couldn’t get a convincing shot away. Headed Elanga’s cross over from close range. Was a handful and had a few opportunities with some good movement, but failed to threaten the keeper.
Substitutes
Tino Livramento - 6
On for Trippier 66: Did well to charge forward and slip through Anthony Gordon.
Jacob Murphy - 6
On for Elanga 67: Volleyed over shortly after his introduction. Produced the quality cross from out wide to assist Harvey Barnes. Couldn’t clear the danger in the build-up to Barcelona’s penalty.
On for Osula 67: Made a great run in the build-up to Joelinton’s disallowed goal. Brought some fresh energy in attack.
Joe Willock - n/a
On for Barnes 90: Booked.
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