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An inspired Marcus Rashford celebrated his return to English soil by scoring twice in nine second-half minutes to give Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in their Champions League season opener at St James' Park on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Missing key players Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, and Gavi through injury, the visitors had to weather an early storm as Newcastle pressed high relentlessly, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia making a fabulous reflex save to deny Harvey Barnes from close-range early in the game.

The five-time European champions gradually gained control of proceedings until English forward Rashford broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, scoring his first goal for Barcelona with an angled header from Jules Kounde's right-wing cross that nestled just inside the left post beyond Nick Pope's reach, according to Reuters.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk headed home a last-gasp goal in stoppage time to lead Arne Slot's men to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the opening game of their Champions League campaign on Wednesday at Anfield, Reuters reported.

The game appeared headed for a draw after Marcos Llorente scored twice to pull the Spaniards back into the game - before Van Dijk's header from a corner in the 92nd minute.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone was sent off moments later after having to be pulled away from the crowd, according to Reuters.

Ange Postecoglou suffered his second successive defeat since taking over as Nottingham Forest manager as his side conceded twice in stoppage time to lose 3-2 at second-tier Swansea City in the League Cup third round despite leading 2-0 on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The Australian, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground this month, looked stunned as Cameron Burgess fired home in the 97th minute to send the home fans wild.

Forest had controlled the opening half with Igor Jesus scoring twice -- his first in the 14th minute when he fired in at the far post after a ball rebounded into his path and the second just before the break after a flowing move, according to Reuters.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone admitted his behaviour was unjustifiable after he was sent off following a heated altercation with a Liverpool fan following the home side's stoppage time winner in the Champions League on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The Argentine had seen his side claw back a two-goal deficit but Virgil van Dijk then headed into the net in the 92nd minute to condemn Atletico to a 3-2 defeat at a raucous Anfield.

Simeone appeared enraged by a Liverpool fan behind the technical area and was eventually sent down the tunnel by Italian referee Maurizio Mariani.

Afterwards he said he had endured insults for 90 minutes, according to Reuters.