St. James' Park was buzzing with anticipation on Tuesday evening as Newcastle United hosted Qarabag FK in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoff. The Magpies entered the fixture with a massive 6-1 advantage from the first leg in Azerbaijan, and the home crowd expected nothing less than another resounding performance. By the final whistle, Newcastle had delivered, sealing their place in the last 16 with a dominant 9-3 aggregate victory that underscored their European ambitions and rewarded the Geordie faithful with a night to remember.
Manager Eddie Howe, facing a mounting injury list, opted to rotate his squad, giving several fringe and academy players a chance to shine while also resting key starters. The confirmed Newcastle lineup featured Aaron Ramsdale in goal, a backline marshaled by Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, and Joelinton, with Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes among those deployed further forward. The bench was stacked with options, including Anthony Gordon, fresh off a record-breaking first leg, and Anthony Elanga, who has struggled for form this season.
The game kicked off at 8:00 p.m. GMT under the watchful eye of Italian referee Davide Massa, with Daniele Chiffi overseeing VAR duties. From the opening whistle, Newcastle wasted no time asserting their dominance. In just the fourth minute, William Osula’s header forced Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski into a save, but the parry fell kindly to Sandro Tonali, who slotted home his first ever Champions League goal. The Italian’s recent hot streak continued, marking his third goal in four games across all competitions.
Only moments later, the lead doubled. Harvey Barnes drilled a low cross into the box, finding Joelinton unmarked. The Brazilian made no mistake, volleying expertly past Kochalski to put the Magpies firmly in control on the night and 8-1 up on aggregate. Newcastle’s quickfire goals could have rattled Qarabag, but the Azerbaijan Premier League champions showed admirable resolve, refusing to fold as they had in the first leg.
Qarabag’s journey to this point has been historic. They became the first Azerbaijani club to reach the Champions League knockout rounds, having finished above storied names like Napoli and Benfica in the group stage. Manager Gurban Gurbanov had urged his side to be “more careful and responsible” after the heavy defeat in Baku, and despite conceding early, his charges responded with grit and pride.
After halftime, Qarabag found a deserved reward for their persistence. Camilo Duran broke away from Dan Burn and finished confidently past Ramsdale, sending the visiting supporters—who had traveled over 2,500 miles—a moment to savor. The goal was met with respectful applause from the home crowd, acknowledging Qarabag’s fighting spirit.
Yet, Newcastle were not content to sit back. Just minutes after Duran’s strike, Sven Botman restored the hosts’ two-goal cushion on the night, rising highest to head home from a pinpoint Kieran Trippier corner. The Dutch defender’s effort made it 3-1 on the evening, and 9-2 on aggregate, effectively quelling any hopes of an unlikely Qarabag comeback.
The drama wasn’t over. Qarabag earned a penalty when Dan Burn handled inside the area. Marko Jankovic stepped up, but his spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Ramsdale. However, Elvin Cafarguliyev reacted quickest, slotting in the rebound to bring the score to 3-2 on the night. The visitors had shown they could compete, at least in flashes, against one of England’s elite.
While Newcastle pressed for a fourth, the final whistle confirmed their emphatic 9-3 aggregate triumph and progression to the last 16. For Howe’s men, it was a night of milestones: the club broke its own record for Champions League wins in a single campaign, reaching the last 16 for only the second time in their history. The draw for the next round—against either Barcelona or Chelsea—awaits, and the St. James’ Park faithful are already dreaming of another famous European night.
Howe, reflecting on the performance, praised his team’s professionalism despite the rotation: “I wanted to ensure we didn’t lose rhythm and the good feeling we had.” His approach paid dividends, as Newcastle’s blend of youth and experience produced a performance full of attacking intent and resilience. The contrast was stark from earlier in the month, when the Magpies were booed off after a home defeat to Brentford. Four wins in five matches since then have reignited belief among supporters, who unfurled a tifo of Howe before kickoff and serenaded the team with chants of “Is this the way to Barcelona?”
Anthony Gordon, the star of the first leg, was given a well-earned rest but his exploits in Baku—scoring the fastest Newcastle goal in UCL history at 2 minutes, 2 seconds, and becoming the first Englishman to net a hat trick in the knockout stage—remain the talk of Tyneside. Gordon’s ten Champions League goals this season are the second most by any English player in a single campaign, and his first-leg heroics set the tone for Newcastle’s march into the last 16.
For Qarabag, the defeat stings, but their journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Gurbanov’s side can return to Azerbaijan with heads held high, having made history for their nation and shown resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Their focus now shifts back to domestic matters, chasing Sabah at the top of the Azerbaijan Premier League and hoping for another crack at Europe’s elite next season.
Injuries remain a concern for Newcastle, with Bruno Guimarães, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär, Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley, and Yoane Wissa all sidelined or doubtful. Yet, the squad’s depth and spirit were on full display, offering Howe plenty of options as the campaign intensifies. Anthony Elanga, despite a challenging season with just one goal and two assists in 37 appearances, will hope to build confidence from his cameo and push for a greater impact in the weeks ahead.
As the Magpies look ahead to a blockbuster tie in the next round—either against Barcelona or Chelsea—the sense of momentum and belief is palpable. St. James’ Park will be rocking once again, and Newcastle’s European adventure continues, with fans daring to dream of even greater nights under the lights.