Newcastle United turned the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off into a one-sided show, crushing Azerbaijani champions Qarabag 6-1 at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.- Watch Highlights
As a result, Eddie Howe’s team heads back to St James’ Park for the return match on February 24 with one foot in the last 16. A meeting with Chelsea or Barcelona could be next, if they finish the job at home.
Anthony Gordon stole the spotlight, scoring four times before halftime and setting a new club benchmark for goals in a single Champions League campaign, surpassing Alan Shearer’s mark. Just as important, his surge in form continues, and he’s now into double figures in Europe this season.
- Newcastle hit five goals before the break, mixing sharp counter-attacks with ruthless finishing.
- Malick Thiaw scored with a header, then substitute Jacob Murphy added a late, deflected sixth.
- Qarabag grabbed a second-half consolation through Elvin Jafarguliyev, but Newcastle never looked in danger.
Match Highlights, Newcastle’s First-Half Blitz
Newcastle struck almost right away. Inside three minutes, Gordon ran onto a perfectly weighted through ball and slid his finish past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
Soon after, the lead doubled. Malick Thiaw attacked a corner and powered in a header, which took the energy out of the home crowd.
From there, Gordon took over. In the 32nd minute, he won a penalty after a foul in the box, then calmly converted it himself. About a minute later, he made it three, rounding Mateusz Kochalski and finishing with control.
He wasn’t done yet. Right before halftime, Gordon earned another penalty with smart movement, then buried it again to send Newcastle into the break up 5-0.
After the restart, Newcastle lowered the tempo, and Qarabag found a brief opening. Jafarguliyev fired in a strong strike in the 54th minute to pull one back. Still, any hope of a comeback faded when Murphy’s effort took a deflection and went in for the sixth goal in the 72nd minute.
Overall, Newcastle’s display felt like a clear message. They pressed high, broke quickly, and stayed clinical. Howe’s setup, with Gordon thriving on the left, proved far too much for a Qarabag side that had caused problems for bigger clubs earlier in the tournament, including Benfica.
Newcastle United Key Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 6 |
| Shots on Target | 14 |
| Possession | ~58% (estimated) |
| Passes Completed | High (dominant) |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 3.97 |
| Clean Sheet Attempt | No (conceded 1) |
| Key Player | Anthony Gordon (4 goals) |
In addition, Newcastle matched their largest winning margin in Europe. Goals came from across the squad, which underlined their depth.
Qarabag Key Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 2-3 (low) |
| Possession | ~42% (estimated) |
| Passes Completed | Lower (struggled) |
| Expected Goals (xG) | Low |
| Key Moment | Jafarguliyev’s goal (54′) |
| Defense Issues | Collapsed in the first half |
Qarabag entered the tie with confidence after group-stage wins over Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Copenhagen. However, Newcastle’s pace and pressure overwhelmed them early and often. Before kickoff, manager Gurban Gurbanov had suggested Newcastle’s style could cause his team problems, and that warning proved accurate.
What It Means for Newcastle’s Champions League Run
With a five-goal cushion on aggregate, Newcastle sits close to the round of 16 in the expanded format. Next, the second leg at St James’ Park should bring a big atmosphere as fans look toward a memorable European night.
After the match, Howe highlighted his side’s mindset and praised Gordon’s performance as “world-class.” He said the team expected a tough challenge, and the players carried out the plan the right way.
For Qarabag, attention now turns to pride and keeping the scoreline respectable in England. Overturning a 6-1 deficit looks out of reach.
In the end, this result strengthens Newcastle’s claim as a real force in Europe. Gordon’s record-setting night, backed by a dominant team performance, keeps the Magpies moving fast toward the continent’s top tier. All eyes now shift to St James’ Park, where Newcastle’s Champions League push should continue.
