Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford is now two games away from breaking his personal record
Marcus Rashford smiling
Marcus Rashford will be delighted with Barcelona's progress(Image: Getty )
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Marcus Rashford's dream of lifting the Champions League has edged closer to reality after Barcelona powered into the quarter-finals in emphatic fashion. The La Liga side thrashed Newcastle 7-2 on Wednesday night, sealing an 8-3 aggregate victory and ending the Magpies' European run in brutal style.
Although Rashford was an unused substitute in the second leg, he has still played an important role in Barcelona's journey to the last eight, scoring five goals and providing four assists in nine Champions League games so far.
Next up is an all-Spanish clash with Atletico Madrid, who progressed at Tottenham's expense. With just five matches now separating them from European glory, Barcelona can begin to dream of a first Champions League triumph since 2015 - an achievement that would also fulfil one of Rashford's biggest ambitions.
Shortly after joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United at the start of the season, the England forward admitted his sights were set on lifting the Champions League more than anything else.
"For sure. I think everybody dreams of winning the Champions League, so now I'm with Barcelona, the dream is with Barcelona," Rashford said. "I hope we can win the tournament, but there's a lot of really good competition, so we have to take it game by game and just keep trying to push and trying to improve as a team."
Rashford's European pedigree includes a Europa League winner's medal from 2017, but he has never gone beyond the Champions League quarter-finals - having reached that stage just once with United, who ironically fell to Barcelona that year. Now, he has a chance to go further with the very club that once halted his progress.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a respectable campaign at the Camp Nou following a difficult end to his time at Old Trafford, where a fallout with then-manager Ruben Amorim effectively brought his spell at his boyhood club to a close. In 38 appearances this season, Rashford has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists, form that has helped him re-establish himself in the England picture.
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona warms up
Rashford hasn't got an awful lot of game time in recent weeks(Image: Getty Images)
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However, his momentum has stalled in recent weeks. He is without a goal in his last 11 games and has started only three matches since the end of January, with Hansi Flick increasingly favouring attacking options such as Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez.
The timing is far from ideal. Rashford is not only looking to secure his place in Thomas Tuchel's upcoming England squad but also to strengthen his case for a permanent move to Barcelona.
The loan deal includes a £26million option to buy, and while the club are understood to be satisfied with his overall contribution, a prolonged dip in form could yet influence their final decision.
For now, Barcelona march on - and Rashford remains on the brink of the biggest prize in European football, even if his role in the final chapters of the campaign is still uncertain.
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