Qarabag FK 1 Newcastle 6 – Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:45 PM
A dream start and a dream end to the first half (or is that first quarter?) of Newcastle United’s first knockout match in the Champions League.
A through ball from Big Dan Burn with the outside of his left foot, the kind of pass that Bruno G, our injured captain, would have loved, was perfectly suited for Anthony Gordon to drive powerfully into the right corner of Kochalski’s net first time.
One clean sheet in three minutes became 2-0 in eight when Malick Thiaw towered over the Qarabag defenders to head Kieran Trippier’s cross from the left wing back into the far corner.
Konchalski was the home team’s top player, but he could do nothing to prevent the number three, a Gordon penalty blasted high to the keeper’s right. The penalty was awarded after a VAR check showed a low Barnes drive had been blocked by the hand of a diving defender.
Gordon completed his hat-trick when he won possession in midfield, outwitted the defence, rounded the keeper and tapped the ball home, all at lightning speed.
The winger who reportedly couldn’t finish scored his fourth in stoppage time when he again raced clear through the center and was sent down by Konchalski.
Before scoring, Gordon had to win an argument with Trippier, who appeared to call on a teammate to take the penalty. Gordon was having none of it and justified his determination by blasting home the kick to the keeper’s left.
Five clean sheets at the break did not flatter Newcastle, who seemed to have a few more players than Qarabag. The Azerbaijani team failed to make a single attempt in the first half.
They were better on the restart and got a small reward for their determination when Ceferquliyev reduced the deficit. Initially he was marked offside as he came in from our right flank. He was shown to be level with the last defender before advancing and smashing the ball past Nick Pope from close range. The anger on Burns’ face at that concession spoke volumes.
A fiercely deflected shot sent Pope diving full length as the ball flew inches wide.
Three substitutions (Ramsely, Osula, Jacob Murphy) freshened United up and gave Gordon, Willock and Elanga almost half an hour’s reprieve.
One of the replacements, Jacob Murphy, took just a few minutes to join the party. He cut in from the right flank and shot towards goal. The ball flew towards the net when it ricocheted off a defender’s head, wrong-footing the keeper.
The Qarabag keeper kept the score within bounds with two more excellent saves. Joelinton made a welcome return in the closing stages and Sean Neave had a short run-out.
The second half (or was it the second quarter?) was inevitably anticlimactic compared to what had come before. That’s pretty much irrelevant in the bigger picture and the 2,000 traveling fans won’t care.
No other Newcastle United supporter should do that. With Gordon leading a fast and mobile attack, with Nick Woltemade expertly linking play in midfield and with Sandro Tonali once again running in full force, there was plenty to celebrate.
A breathtaking run down Lewis Hall’s left flank, displaying his remarkable high-speed footwork, fooled four or five opponents in the closing stages.
Three away wins on the trot for a team that can only win at St James’ Park. Two high-quality goals from a winger who can’t score from open play (not to mention his two unstoppable penalties). No visible injuries.
And perhaps an intriguing glimpse of what Eddie Howe’s side can produce when they are on their toes, even with six or seven players absent.
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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