It was a night we’ll never forget, but one Newcastle United will want to erase from memory as a fiercely competitive start was followed by a complete and utter collapse in Barcelona.
A [7-2 defeat on the night](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2026/03/18/a-brutal-end-to-a-brilliant-champions-league-campaign-barcelona-7-2-newcastle/) and 8-3 beating on aggregate to see us exit the Champions League at the last 16 stage, as a first half brace from Anthony Elanga was met by far too many defensive errors at the other end of the field.
Here are my marks out of 10 and comments on each Mag involved in last night’s heavy defeat at the Nou Camp.
Ramsdale (4) – Made a couple of good saves to keep the score in single digits. Needs to command his box from corners much better, the header from Lewandowski should’ve never happened. Could he have done better with Yamal’s penalty? He looked like a man who felt he could’ve got to it. Tough night at the office as he barely had a defence to offer him any protection.
Trippier (3) – Won’t enjoy watching h the first half back. Poor defending for the second goal where he allowed Gerard Martin to nod the ball to Bernal without so much as offering a challenge. Gave away a penalty on the stroke of half time which we never recovered from. Fortunate not to see red and was rightly hooked at half time. Chastening night.
Thiaw (3) – Awful. Turned inside out in the first half in the lead up to the first goal and it didn’t get any better from there. His effort (or lack thereof) for the 5th goal was alarming. Missed the interception and didn’t seem to make any effort to stop Lewandowski from doubling his tally. Needs to cut the mistakes out and fast.
Burn (3) – Either dropped too early or his teammates were on different wavelengths for the opening goal and, one heroic block aside, he had an awful night. Being asked to play man to man doesn’t suit Burn who’s lack of mobility was brutally exposed just after halftime when he went walkabouts and Barca waltzed through the gaping hole.
Hall (5) – Tremendous assist for Elanga and looked a real threat in the first half but was still part of a defence that fell apart. Definitely the least culpable of the defenders but a sobering night for everyone in black and white.
Ramsey (3) – Upturn in form nosedived at the Nou Camp. Started brightly but was a complete passenger in the second half especially. The Barcelona midfield ran rings around us as we chased shadows. Ramsey should get the assist for an horrific attempt at a switch which teed up Raphinha perfectly.
Tonali (4) – Whether it was illness or injury, he just wasn’t at the races which was evidenced by the goal just after halftime. He failed to drop too early occupy the space left by Burn and couldn’t get anywhere near Fermin. Exited shortly after with what looked like a muscle injury which puts him in doubt for the derby.
Joelinton (4) – Early yellow card stifled his ability to get physical most notable when Yamal breezed past him with Joe knowing any touch would inevitably have led to a red card. Tough game for the whole midfield.
Elanga (7.5) – Took both goals well and proved that he is best suited to playing teams with a high line! His general play was poor for much of it, running the ball out of play at times. But as far as goals are concerned, the trick is to now do it against teams with a low block. Hopefully it gives him the confidence to end the season strong!
Barnes (5) – Some neat interplay on the left in the first half and set up Elanga’s second with a lovely ball across the box, but was a complete non factor in the second half. Ran his socks off but it wasn’t his night.
Gordon (4) – Barely sighted with only 10 touches in 81 minutes telling the whole story. Attempted to press but Barca were rarely deep enough for it to be meaningful in any way.
Livramento (3.5) – Inauspicious entry to the game conceding three goals within 15 minutes of his entry into the game. Showed some rustiness in possession and found the going tough. On the upside, he got some minutes into the legs.
Murphy (4) – Just the eight touches and very few in any decent attacking areas. Was very few opportunities to do anything as the game was long gone when he entered the fray.
Willock (4) – Replaced the crocked Tonali but made no difference to the game. Received a yellow card for a cynical challenge and rarely got within 5 feet of a Barcelona midfielder.
Botman (4) – Brought on as part of a damage limitation job and we only conceded once! Will be pushing for a start soon, can’t imagine he’s impressed sitting on the bench.