Qarabag FK 1 Newcastle 6 – Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:45 PM
Direct fan/writer response from some of our regular contributors to The Mag.
Nat Seaton:
‘What an evening in Baku!
Let’s pinch ourselves and score SIX goals away from home in the Champions League, and it could have been more.
How many chances have we created?!?!?
Well done overall, but a special mention to Gordon when you score four goals in a match, especially at this level.
Three away wins in a row, let’s be greedy and make it four…’
Billy Miller:
‘That first half was something different.
I actually started to feel a little sorry for our opponents.
Surprising that no changes were made during half time. With us 5-0 up, I thought we could rest some players.
The second period was more competitive, but we guaranteed our progression to the last sixteen.
The only thing I regretted was that we didn’t give Neave half an hour and Shahar minutes. If they don’t get much/no playing time with a 6-1 lead, then when? Still a small complaint.
A record evening for both the team and Anthony Gordon.
Also a third away win in a row!’
GTone:
‘Well, I didn’t expect that.
What an achievement from the start.
We came straight at them from the start and they couldn’t handle the pressure and pace.
Barnes didn’t score, but he terrorized them. Hall beat almost all of them at one point.
Burn played Gordon with a great pass and I think they just didn’t know how to play against Gordon.
It seemed like they weren’t used to playing on a hard field.
The funny thing is that their goalkeeper played a very good game. He couldn’t do anything about the goals, but he made a fantastic save in the second half and made at least three one-on-one saves in the first half to keep the score below 10.
Too bad we conceded that and I think their goalkeeper could have saved that shot.
Fortunately, I don’t think it will make a difference.
The second game will be interesting.”
Matt Busby said…:
‘What an achievement.
Qarabag was shocking, but you can only beat what’s in front of you.
Three away wins in one week, in three different competitions, and our season is starting to gain momentum.
Our fans didn’t stop singing.
Sounds like it was a great trip, watching the boys beat the opposition for six times, which topped it all off nicely.
That argument that Trips made during halftime was not constructive. “We can’t blame Gordon for giving that second penalty, despite our captain’s best efforts to thwart him.”
David Punton:
‘Brilliant in Baku!
United were at their devastating best here on the shores of the Caspian Sea, virtually pulling off a cash grab in the last sixteen.
That’s now three away wins as form and fluency return.
Anthony Gordon has rebelled and joined an exclusive club of United players to score hat-tricks in the Champions League.
We couldn’t have asked for much more.
An unforgettable evening for the club in this elite competition.’
Jamie Smith:
‘Just what the doctor ordered.
Clinical, professional performance to create an insurmountable lead for the second stage.
The home game now becomes a formality and, crucially, a chance to rest and put a little focus on rebuilding their position in the Premier League.
Three wins straight away, a pity that they are our regular opponents on Saturday, where a draw would be a nice victory.
This period could be crucial to get the season on track.”
Qarabag FK 1 Newcastle 6 – Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:45 PM
Match statistics
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Gordon 3, 32 pen, 33, 45+1 pen, Thiaw 8, Jacob Murphy 72
Arab FK:
Ceferguliyev 54
Possess was Newcastle 58% Qarabag FK 42%
Total shots come Newcastle 22 Qarabag FK 8
Shots on target come Newcastle 14 Qarabag FK 2
Corners come Newcastle 6 Qarabag FK 8
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 39 Qarabag FK 20
Newcastle team at Qarabag FK:
Pope, Trippier (Joelinton 77), Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Willock (Ramsey 68), Barnes (Neave 87), Elanga (Jacob Murphy 68), Gordon (Osula 68), Woltemade
Unused subtitles:
Ramsdale, Harris, Ruddy, Alex Murphy, Shahar
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