Marcus Rashford needed less than 20 minutes to set social media ablaze and leave Barcelona fans in shock, following an absolutely unexpected start to the World Cup. The English forward, overlooked for a starting position by Anthony Gordon, responded on the pitch and reignited the debate over one of the most controversial decisions in the recent transfer market for the Catalan club.
At the start of the 2026 World Cup, Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager, opted for Anthony Gordon in the starting eleven against Croatia, relegating Rashford to the bench. Gordon, recently signed by Barcelona for around 70 million euros from Newcastle United, failed to justify the investment, culminating in a lackluster performance. Midway through the second half, Tuchel brought on Rashford, who quickly made an impact: just minutes after entering the game, the Manchester United forward scored the decisive goal, raising the question — did Barcelona make a strategic error by choosing Gordon over Rashford?
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This choice continues to divide fans and experts. It should be noted that Rashford had a high-level season while playing for Barcelona in 2025/26 on loan, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 49 matches, numbers that impressed the Catalans. With a purchase option set at 30 million euros, many expected the Catalan club to proceed with a permanent signing, but the management opted to invest more than double that in Gordon, justifying the investment in youth and the long-term growth potential of the 23-year-old Englishman.
The fans’ reaction was swift, and social media exploded with criticism of the Barcelona management. “Did Barça prefer Gordon to Rashford? That will age like milk in the sun,” shot back a supporter just minutes after Rashford’s goal. Another commented: “Good. I liked it… Rashford showed his class and silenced everyone right from the first game.” There were also those who lamented: “The worst decision they made. They preferred pressure over goals and assists.” In a more ironic tone, another user suggested: “If they change their minds, it now costs 50 million euros. The price from yesterday is not the same as today!” Finally, someone emphasized: “I know Gordon is younger, but he will never have the impact that Rashford had on any team. Rashford is a player for big games and has always delivered at Man United. I’m curious to see what Gordon will do at Barcelona.”
Despite the backlash, Barcelona’s decision had more nuances than a simple direct comparison. Gordon, an English international, stood out for his intensity, pressing ability, and energy in the final third, characteristics that appealed to the club’s coaching staff. Moreover, the player’s young profile fit the renewal desired for the Catalan squad. However, Rashford’s numbers from last season — 25 goal contributions in 49 matches — are hard to ignore and continue to fuel nostalgia among the fans.
The immediate impact of Rashford at the World Cup has only intensified the discussion. While it is true that one game does not dictate the success or failure of a signing, it is also undeniable that the pressure on Gordon increases exponentially, especially considering the investment made and the expectations created. Rashford himself, after the match, did not hide his satisfaction: “It was great to score again and help the team at the right moment,” said the English forward, still visibly emotional in the mixed zone.
The near future promises to be intense for both parties. Rashford, motivated and eager to prove himself, can use the World Cup to show that Barcelona was hasty in not triggering the purchase option. Meanwhile, Gordon will need to quickly demonstrate his worth on the pitch to justify the investment and silence the criticisms from Catalan fans, who are starting to lose patience. The transfer market is open, and if Gordon’s performance does not meet expectations, the situation could turn into a true financial and sporting nightmare for Barcelona.
In the meantime, the debate is far from over. The upcoming World Cup matches will be crucial not only for England but also for Barcelona, which is watching Rashford’s performances from afar and waiting for a clear statement from Gordon. The final verdict is yet to be written, but one thing is certain: Rashford’s start at the World Cup has put the blaugrana universe on high alert and could dramatically alter the course of upcoming decisions in the market.
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