In The Zone: Barcelona's composure and class tell at the last
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
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UEFA Technical Observer Gaizka Mendieta analyses how Barcelona left it late to earn a draw in their Champions League round of 16 opener at Newcastle United.
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Lamine Yamal's ability with a ball at his feet needs no introduction. On Tuesday night, though, it was the Barcelona winger's composure that proved decisive as he converted the last-gasp penalty that secured a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United.
In an intriguing first-leg contest between these UEFA Champions League round of 16 rivals, Yamal had the final word, his nerveless conversion embodying the cool heads of Barcelona's young players.
However, as will be shown in this analysis, brought to you by FedEx, they were pushed to the limit by the intensity of Eddie Howe's Newcastle.
Newcastle's speed and directness
To start with the hosts' 86th-minute goal, according to UEFA Technical Observer Gaizka Mendieta this reflected the threat they carried throughout with their "runs in behind the defenders".
Newcastle attacked with speed and directness, and their forward runs are highlighted above – along with the excellence of Jacob Murphy, who combines with Jacob Ramsey before delivering the outswinging cross for Harvey Barnes' goal. "When I see Murph there, I know the quality he has got and it's, 'Get in the box and get on the end of it,'" said Player of the Match Barnes.
"It's a brilliant bit of play by Jacob Murphy," said Newcastle head coach Howe, who was left ruing the Malick Thiaw challenge on Dani Olmo for Barcelona's spot-kick equaliser. "They have players that can hurt you in an instant," he added.
Olmo class, Yamal composure
That instant is captured in the second video, which showcases Olmo's skill in the very last attack as his shimmy draws the foul from Thiaw.
"It's great movement and quick feet," said Mendieta, who was equally impressed by Yamal's contribution as penalty-taker, starting with the 18-year-old's desire to convert the kick.
"You have Raphinha and other senior players on the pitch," noted ex-Barcelona midfielder Mendieta, "but he has the confidence and the personality. It shows the respect there is for him in the dressing room."
At this level, the coolest heads are required, and that moment highlighted the mentality of Barcelona's youngsters – not just Yamal but fellow teenagers Pau Cubarsí and Marc Bernal and others, in the heat of St James' Park.
"They [Newcastle] have a lot of dynamic, very fast players, so it wasn't easy," said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick. "We have a young team and the two centre-backs especially are doing a fantastic job." Mendieta concurred, concluding: "It was a very difficult atmosphere and difficult game, and they showed the quality they have."
A two-time UEFA Champions League runner-up with Valencia, midfielder Mendieta also played in Italy and England and was capped 40 times by Spain. Since hanging up his boots in 2008, the former Barcelona player has been doing media work and a spot of DJing.
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