Bayer Leverkusen 2 Newcastle 2 – Wednesday December 10, 2025 8:00 PM
A somewhat flat first half was followed by an excellent one after the break.
Newcastle United started well and came to the fore early, controlling possession and Harvey Barnes cutting inside from the right but his left-foot effort did not have the power to trouble the keeper.
But unlucky 13, because in that minute Bayer Leverkusen’s first corner of the match was poorly defended, at the back post Sandro Tonali turned around and looked at his own goal. The man he was marking walked across the goal, hit Bruno’s back and passed Ramsdale. How not to defend a corner.
At 21 minutes, hearts in our mouths. Leverkusen broke quickly and with precision, with their clever quick passing a feature of the first half as they gained possession. Schick went down on the edge of the penalty area when Thiaw fouled him, with Newcastle fans wondering whether it was a penalty or a red card from Thiaw for a foul just outside the penalty area.
Neither!
Tino Livramento thought the foul outside the penalty area was close enough, so it was yellow and not red for Thiaw.
United did OK for the rest of the first half but were rarely threatened, while when the home side broke with that pace and precision you could see why they had won at both Benfica and Man City in their last two Champions League games.
There are no changes in personnel from Eddie Howe at half-time, but there is a major change in Newcastle United’s play and goal threat.
Six minutes into the second half, Woltemade pressed Flokken high, causing the home goalkeeper to make a huge mess of things and foul the United striker. Gordon knocked home the penalty.
Newcastle are now on the rise and Bayer Leverkusen were left stunned after their goalkeeper’s gift.
Anthony Gordon gains possession and unleashes a brilliant effort from outside the penalty area, back off the post!
What’s with Newcastle and the woodwork? That’s how many times our players have scored, including two more long-range tries from Gordon against Burnley on Saturday.
Newcastle United are looking really good and the dangerous Gordon is showing how much his left foot passing has improved. On Saturday he won a penalty with one, today a brilliant cross that was brilliantly headed in by substitute Lewis Miley! Sixteen minutes to go and Newcastle had turned it around.
For me, the next phase of the game was crucial.
Jacob Murphy stepped up from the bench and repeated Gordon’s trick, beating Flek’s hands from distance but getting back into the game from the post.
Shortly afterwards a cross from the right and just six yards out, Thiaw with a very good header but an incredible save from Fleks.
Bayer Leverkusen threw everything forward and after 88 minutes they got their reward.
Anyone who claims this late equalizer bore any resemblance to Spurs’ is dead wrong.
Poor defensive talent Romero, while this was a very good team goal by Bayer Leverkusen. Sometimes you shouldn’t give credit to the opposition.
Yes, if Newcastle United had done this and this, they could possibly have stopped that goal, BUT you can say that about any goal scored by anyone. This was a goal created by the opposition, rather than a gift from United.
That doesn’t mean you’re any less upset, but Bayer Leverkusen didn’t panic and somehow found a way to grab a late point.
Some may argue that a draw was fair, but for me Newcastle had the edge and were by far the closest to scoring more goals with those second half chances. Soon, all these efforts that hit the woodwork will soon hit the net.
A great fight from Newcastle United and they can take a lot of courage from that. The late equalizer was a setback, but not a fatal one in this Champions League campaign.
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Newcastle 2 – Wednesday December 10, 2025 8:00 PM
Match statistics
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Gordon 51 pen, Miley 74
Leverkusen:
Bruno OG 13, Grimaldo 88
Possess was Newcastle 49% Leverkusen 51%
Total shots were Newcastle 13 Leverkusen 17
Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Leverkusen 7
Corners were Newcastle 6 Leverkusen 9
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 32 Leverkusen 28
Newcastle team in Leverkusen:
Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton (Miley 60), Bruno, Gordon (Ramsey 92), Barnes (Jacob Murphy 78), Woltemade (Wissa 93)
Unused subs:
Thompson, Harrison, Schar, Alex Murphy, Willock
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