It ended Barcelona 7 Newcastle 2.
Ahead of each game we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the match.
An ‘interesting’ match at the Nou Camp.
Plenty to talk about after this Champions League game.
As Newcastle United exit the competition.
On this occasion it is Mark Jankowski:
POSITIVES
The first half
Newcastle came out in the first half playing like a team that believed and deserved to be mixing it with Europe’s elite.
Newcastle were unlucky to fall behind after a couple of untimely slips in the build-up to Barcelona’s first goal. However, we didn’t have to wait long to be back on level terms with Anthony Elanga scoring his second goal for the club.
In a back and forth first half Newcastle gave as good as they’ve got and were very unfortunate to be behind going into the break.
Our attacking play in the first half was good enough to trouble any side in Europe.
Elanga’s end product
Speaking of Anthony Elanga, the young Swede put a great first half performance.
He had one or two untidy touches early on but once he grabbed his goal, he was a constant threat to Barcelona in the back line.
On another day he may have won what would have been an admittedly soft penalty.
If we can try and utilise Elanga more in that way in the closing weeks of the season, he could yet have a very important role to play in our final League position.
Lewis Hall
I think at this point Lewis Hall is comfortably the front runner for Newcastle’s player of the season.
Malick Thiaw and Bruno have played magnificently this season too.
However, the level Lewis Hall is reaching on a regular basis is quite impressive.
He was unlucky with a slip in the build-up to Barcelona’s first goal but immediately rectified that mistake by creating our equaliser.
He was also heavily involved in the build-up to our second goal and constantly looks strong at the back and also threatening going forward.
NEGATIVES
The second half
Newcastle played three tremendous halves against Barcelona and were for most people’s money the stronger side across those halves.
Unfortunately, all of that came crashing down in a lacklustre second half showing in the Nou Camp.
The intensity demonstrated in the tie up to that point was completely missing for the first 35 minutes of the second half and Barcelona took advantage, running up a scoreline that didn’t really reflect the balance of play across the tie.
Newcastle will need to learn that they cannot have lapses like that against the best teams in Europe, otherwise they will be made to pay.
Tonali’s knock
I’m hoping that Sandro Tonali’s withdrawal in the second half was precautionary.
He was of course, ill in the build-up to the game and was beginning to look tired during open play.
The challenge on him in the box seems fairly innocuous, so I’m hoping that there is no serious damage to the Italian ahead of an important fixture at the weekend.
A messy end to an encouraging campaign
Doubters and critics of Newcastle United and Eddie Howe will point to the scoreline of tonight’s game.
In truth, that scoreline doesn’t truly reflect how Newcastle have played in the Champions League and specifically in this tie.
However, there’s no escaping the fact that, in isolation, we gave away some very sloppy goals.
Over the course of the season there have been a number of mistakes at key moments. The weeks are rapidly running down towards the end of the season and at this point we can afford no further slip-ups.
After a string of encouraging performances, the second half today was definitely a setback.
I continue to have faith in the players and Eddie Howe but the naysayers will be sharpening their sticks once again.
Barcelona 7 Newcastle 2 – Wednesday 18 March 2026 5.45pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Elanga 15, 28
Barcelona:
Raphinha 6, 72, Bernal 18, Yamal 45+7 pen, Lopez 51, Lewandowski 56, 61
Possession was Newcastle 37% Barcelona 63%
Total shots were Newcastle 8 Barcelona 18
Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Barcelona 13
Corners were Newcastle 2 Barcelona 6
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 18 Barcelona 29
Newcastle team v Barcelona:
Ramsdale, Trippier (Livarmento 46), Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali (Willock 55), Ramsey, Joelinton (Botman 64), Elanga (Jacob Murphy 64(, Barnes, Gordon (Osula 81)
Unused subs:
Pope, Ruddy, Harris, Wissa, Woltemade, Alex Murphy, Neave