Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona looking disappointed
Marcus Rashford disappointed after Barcelona's defeat. (Image: Getty Images)
Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League following a narrow aggregate loss to Atletico Madrid, shattering Marcus Rashford's hopes of lifting European football's biggest prize. Hansi Flick's team triumphed 2-1 on the evening, but a 2-0 first leg defeat secured a 3-2 aggregate victory for Atletico, who have reached their first Champions League semi-final since 2017.
Rashford entered as a second half substitute with Barcelona chasing a winner but failed to make a meaningful contribution. Afterwards, Spanish media outlets tore into the England forward's display, with SPORT labelling him "inoperative" and challenging his "character" in pivotal moments.
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"When Rashford came on, he didn't contribute anything special," they wrote. "He lacks the character to be decisive in crucial moments."
Mundo Deportivo shared that view, maintaining he "failed to improve Barcelona in the final third," while Football Espana observed he "looked off the pace," handing him a modest 5.5/10 rating - below most of his colleagues.
AS went considerably further, not only criticising Rashford's ineffective showing but also delivering a savage assessment of his Barcelona future. "As usual, lots of fuss and nothing," they wrote after the match. "He can't continue next year."
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Overall, it proved a disappointing evening for Barcelona, despite a blistering start that momentarily sparked hopes of a fightback.
Lamine Yamal netted after just four minutes, before Ferran Torres' strike levelled the tie on aggregate midway through the opening half. But the impetus was fleeting, as Ademola Lookman restored Atletico's aggregate lead just after the half-hour mark.
Rashford was brought on with Robert Lewandowski in the 69th minute, but Barcelona's challenge soon became even more difficult. For the second occasion in the tie, they were reduced to 10 men, with Eric Garcia deemed to have fouled Alexander Sorloth on the edge of the box as the last man.
A football player, dressed in a blue and red jersey, is kneeling on a green field, appearing to be in a moment of contemplation
Marcus Rashford after Barcelona were eliminated. (Image: Getty)
The red card proved a devastating setback at a crucial juncture. Nevertheless, Barcelona pressed forward in pursuit of the goal that would have forced extra time, only to be thwarted by Diego Simeone's characteristically resolute side.
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In doing so, Atletico maintained their extraordinary record against Barcelona in the Champions League, having eliminated them on every occasion they've met in the competition, including in 2013/14 and 2015/16.
For Rashford, the outcome was a double blow. The Manchester United loanee made little secret of his ambition to win the Champions League when he joined the club last year, having failed to do so during a decade at Old Trafford.
His lacklustre display will do little to bolster his chances of securing a permanent transfer. The 28-year-old is eager to stay in Catalonia beyond the current campaign, yet an agreement between United and Barcelona has yet to be finalised.
Rashford has enjoyed an impressive spell in Spain, notching 12 goals and 13 assists in 43 appearances. However, in recent weeks, he has predominantly been deployed from the substitutes' bench, indicating his long-term prospects at Barcelona are far from guaranteed.
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