Shearer: it'd be better if Newcastle holds on the last minutes

Shearer believes that Newcastle United should have held onto their lead in the Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday night, which ended in a 1-1 draw, but Wayne Rooney does not agree with Alan Shearer's view.

Eddie Howe's team performed well against Barça at St. James' Park, and Newcastle seemed set to take a 1-0 advantage into next week's second leg after Harvey Barnes scored in the 86th minute.

But Barça were awarded a penalty in the 6th minute of added time, which Lamine Yamal converted into a goal.

After Barnes scored, Newcastle United continued to score a possible second goal, but Shearer believes Eddie Howe should have had his players hold onto the lead at that time.

Shearer said in an interview with Prime Sport after the game: "They did a lot of things well tonight, defended very well, limited their trident, and created chances, but failed to take them."

"But they seized the key opportunities, and what I was thinking at the time was, hold onto the score and take the 1-0 lead to Barça's home."

"Even in the last four or five minutes, Eddie still had Dan Burn push forward, and I was thinking, don't do that, just hold onto the lead. I think their approach was a bit naive at the time."

"It would be much easier to go away with a 1-0 lead, because Barça's performance at home is completely different, just like Newcastle is good at pressing forward at home. Barça did this very well. Newcastle missed a huge opportunity to go away with a 1-0 lead."

However, Rooney believes that Newcastle's choice to seek a second goal was the right one.

"First of all, I think Newcastle performed very well, Eddie Howe's tactical deployment was perfect, and Newcastle was the better side, and could have won by one or two goals," Rooney said.

"But at this level, if you don't seize the opportunity, you will always leave the opponent with a chance to score, and Barça did it."

"I don't agree (with Shearer's view), I think Newcastle should take the active move. 1-0 is indeed a good score, but going away, you may also need a second goal."

"Sometimes doing this comes at a price, but I think they performed great, and after tonight's performance, they can leave with confidence."

"They could have been more careful in their handling in front of the Barça penalty area, the timing of the passes, the strength of the passes, they were still a little short of these details that lead to the top level, and this was Newcastle's only shortcoming."

"Knowing that you have to win away against Barça to advance is a different feeling, they will definitely be a little disappointed. But tonight they have proven that they deserve this stage and are capable of competing at this level, and Barça certainly did not expect to encounter such resistance."

"Next week will be a different game. I think Newcastle must continue to maintain their initiative and try to replicate tonight's performance. I know it's difficult, but as long as they can show a level close to tonight's, they have a chance."