‘Very lucky’ - Shay Given baffled as Barcelona handed red card reprieve in Newcastle clash
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(Credit: Imago, Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, TNT Sports)
Oliver Walton
Fri 19 September 2025 6:15, UK
Newcastle legend Shay Given detailed his disappointment with a certain decision that went against the Magpies during their high-octane clash against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Newcastle and Barcelona played out an exciting, fast-paced first-half on Tyneside, with action throughout despite a lack of goals and clear-cut chances.
It was a quick 45 minutes that many have come to expect from Eddie Howe‘s side, especially in the Champions League, with midweek nights at St James’ Park back in style after a 2024-25 season without any European football.
They had the better chances of either side in the first half of the encounter, with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes both having opportunities to open the scoring.
The real talking points came away from either goalmouth, however, with Newcastle hero Shay Given unhappy at a particular decision from the referee that would have had a huge impact on the eventual scoreline.
Bruno Guimaraes was tackled by Gerard Martin as the Barcelona man escaped with a booking – Credit: Imago
Both sides flew into tackles and challenges with fury as they looked to gain a mental advantage as well as a literal one in terms of goals, and the visitors’ left back Gerard Martin caught Bruno Guimaraes just before the interval with a mistimed challenge.
The Spaniard earned a booking for his poor tackle as he caught the Magpies midfielder high up on his leg, but former Newcastle goalkeeper Given believed he could have been penalised further.
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While live as a pundit on TNT Sports on Thursday (18 September, 9:05pm), he said: “I think he’s really got his studs high up his shin there.
We’ve seen red cards for less in the Champions League, especially, and I think Martin was very lucky there.”
Martin went on to impress as the game went on before he was taken off with 10 minutes left as he ended with 100% of his aerial duels won, 100% dribble rate and seven defensive contributions as Barcelona went on to beat Newcastle 2-1.
Newcastle fans will not have expected to beat La Liga’s champions, despite having home advantage, but they would have wanted a spirited, determined performance better than those prior in the Premier League.
That is exactly what they got at St James’ on Thursday, with the game only decided by a pure moment of magic from Marcus Rashford, who destroyed Newcastle with his two goals, including a rocket past Nick Pope.
wrong with a rocket of a goal for 2-0 on a huge night from a personal point of view.
Despite the loss, nobody connected to the Magpies should be getting too bogged down after such a showing, with Howe’s side actually emerging on top in terms of expected goals, with 1.46 to Barca’s 1.31 [Fotmob].
Guimaraes was his usual tenacious self, while Anthony Elanga particularly impressed at times against Barcelona, and they should be full of confidence in their next Champions League game away at Union Saint Gilloise on 1 October.