Rashford Sets the Stage: Barca's 6-1 Night Sparks Clasico Fever
21 October 2025
Rashford Sets the Stage: Barca's 6-1 Night Sparks Clasico Fever
Marcus Rashford continued his eye-catching run in the UEFA Champions League, lifting his group tally to four goals from three matches after a dazzling Barcelona win.
He struck twice as a left winger against Newcastle, then repeated the feat against Olympiakos, this time stepping in as the central striker to cover injuries, underscoring his versatility and the depth Barca now boast.
Despite his goal threat, Rashford stressed he still prefers the wing, adding that he can play anywhere to help the team, a line that probably gave the coaching staff a smile.
After the 6-1 thrashing on Tuesday, he described how Barca controlled the game and finished with ease, saying: “In the second half we sealed it with patience and built the attack the right way. We played well, and we’re ready for what lies ahead.”
Asked about the Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday, the England star replied: “The Clasico is very important. I came here for moments like these; I’m looking forward to it with great anticipation.”
The clash with Real Madrid will take place at the Bernabéu as Barça travel to their arch-rivals in La Liga Round 10, with both teams chasing the top of the table.
Real Madrid lead La Liga with 24 points, while Barcelona sit second, two points behind, setting up a pivotal weekend in Spain’s top flight.
Clásico expectations
Head coach Hans Flick said: “The important thing is we won today, and that gives us confidence before the Clasico. It’s a massive game. We must recover energy quickly and prepare well. Last season we won, but that’s in the past. I’m optimistic because I see a squad capable of competing, and perhaps we’ll get some players back before kickoff.”
Flick also confirmed Lamine Yamal would be fit for the weekend, highlighting that the teenage star thrives in big games and has already carved out a place among Europe’s rising talents.
Six-goal thriller
Barça’s 6-1 win came through a scoring burst with Fermín López netting a hat-trick in the 7th, 38th and 76th minutes, Rashford adding goals in the 74th and 79th, and Yamal converting a 68th-minute penalty for the sixth.
Olympiakos grabbed a late consolation through Ayoub El Kaabi from the spot in the 53rd minute, as Barca asserted control of Group E.
Barça rose to six points in the group, sitting third temporarily, while Olympiakos remained on one point. Opta and other stats outlets highlighted record-breaking numbers for Barca’s youngsters.
Opta noted this was Barcelona’s first European match with six goals since March 2017 against Paris Saint-Germain, while Squawka recorded Fermín López as the first Spaniard to score a hat-trick for Barcelona in the Champions League.
Yamal became the youngest Barca player to score twice in a Champions League game since 2012 and also the youngest to appear in 25 UCL matches. The article also credits the contributions of younger players such as Lamine Yamal and Dru Fernandez for a historic night in Europe.
Two final notes from the club’s records: Yamal and Dru Fernandez were among players under 19 who either scored or assisted in a single Champions League match—the second time this has happened in history (first in 1995 with Ajax against Bayern). Dru Fernandez became the second youngest to provide an assist in his first UCL appearance at 17 years and 282 days, behind Giovanni Reina in 2020.
Two punchlines to cap it off: If Rashford keeps scoring like this, even the offside line will file a complaint for being too generous. If Barça win the Clasico, the trophy cabinet might need a mortgage—it’s getting crowded up there.
