'What's he doing?!' - Bizarre moment referee scuppers Barcelona attack against Newcastle United as he blocks Pedri

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Referee Glen Nyberg had a lackadaisical moment during Barcelona's 2-1 win over Newcastle Unitedat St James' Park, where he inadvertently stood in front of play and ruined an attempted attack from Pedri. The Swedish official had his back turned and was in the way of the Spanish midfielder, who was visibly annoyed with the referee after he was forced to recycle possession.

‘What’s he doing?!’ – Bizarre moment ref stops Barca attack by facing the wrong way

Video credit: TNT Sports

There was a bizarre moment midway through the second half of Barcelona's 2-1 win over Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League - courtesy of referee Glenn Nyberg.

With Barca a goal up and aiming to set up another attack at St James' Park, Pedri saw his momentum halted as he was unable to move without colliding with Nyberg.

The referee, with his back turned to play and looking at the Newcastle goal, stood in the way of Pedri, and he was forced to recycle possession.

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"The referee's not even looking, what's he doing?" said TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher.

"He was looking at the other side of the field. What's he doing? Dear me, he's only got one job."

Pedri looked exasperated, raising his arms in frustration, to which Nyberg walked off and followed play.

"Well to be fair, he wasn't expecting a pass," retorted Ally McCoist.

The Catalans doubled their lead just a few moments later through a stunning goal from Marcus Rashford.

The Manchester United loanee scored his second goal of the game, and his second for his new club, with a thunderous effort from outside the box.

"What a goal," Fletcher said. "That went in like an absolute Rashford rocket. Top corner, Nick Pope never saw it. That's a special strike from Marcus Rashford."

McCoist said: "That's absolutely magic, it's a thing of beauty. That man [England manager Thomas Tuchel] should be applauding. It's fabulous football from Rashford."

‘Special strike’ – Rashford ROCKET stuns St James' Park into silence

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Newcastle set up a thrilling finish when Anthony Gordon scored in injury time, but Barca held on to get their Champions League campaign off on a winning note.

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