Qarabag FK 1 Newcastle 6 – Wednesday 18 February 2026 5.45pm
Instant fan/writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.
Nat Seaton:
‘What a night in Baku!
Let’s pinch ourselves, scoring SIX goals away from home in the Champions League and it could have been more.
How many chances did we create?!?!?
A big well done all around, but special mention to Gordon when you score 4 goals in a game, 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 else.
I was beginning to actually feel a bit bad for our opponents.
Surprising that no changes were made at half time. With us 5-0 to the good I thought we might rest some players.
The second period was more competitive but we’ve guaranteed our progression to the last 16.
The only shame for me was we didn’t give Neave half an hour or so and Shahar any minutes. If they aren’t going to get much/any game time when 6-1 up, when will they? A small complaint though.
A record breaking night both for the team and Anthony Gordon.
A third away win in a row too!’
GToon:
‘Well, I wasn’t expecting that.
What a performance from the start.
We got right at them from the off and they couldn’t cope with the pressure and pace.
Barnes didn’t score but he terrorised them. Hall nearly beat all of them at one point.
Burn was playing Gordon in 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 pitch.
The funny thing is their keeper had a really good game. He cuouldn’t do anything about the goals but he pulled off a fantastic save in the second half and saved at least three of the one on ones in the first half to keep the score under 10.
Shame we conceded and I think their keeper would have saved that shot.
Luckily, I don’t think it will matter.
The second game is going to be interesting.’
Matt Busby said…:
‘What a performance.
Qarabag were shocking but you can only beat what’s in front of you.
Three away wins in the space of a week, in three different competitions, and our season is starting to gather momentum.
Our fans didn’t stop singing.
Sounds like it’s been a great trip, seeing the lads hit the opposition for six topping it off nicely.
That argument instigated by Trips at half time was unedifying. Can’t blame Gordon for dispatching 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 to pretty much seal a money spinning berth in the last 16.
That’s now three away wins on the bounce as form and fluency comes flooding back.
Anthony Gordon has ran riot, joining an exclusive club of United players to score Champions League hat-tricks.
We can’t have asked for much more.
A truly memorable night for the club in this elite competition.’
Jamie Smith:
‘Just what the doctor ordered.
Clinical, professional performance to put an insurmountable lead up ahead of the second leg.
The home match now becomes a formality and, crucially, an opportunity to rest and allow a bit of focus on repairing the Premier League position.
Three straight away wins, shame it’s our regular opponents on Saturday, where a draw would be a fine take home.
This period might be critical in the season being set on track.’
Mark Jankowski:
‘A near faultless away performance in the Champions League tonight.
Newcastle flew out of the blocks and a shellshocked Qarabag side never recovered during a first half of unprecedented dominance.
The only negatives on the night were a squabble between Trippier and Gordon over the taking of our second penalty and a surprisingly wasteful performance from Harvey Barnes.’
Qarabag FK 1 Newcastle 6 – Wednesday 18 February 2026 5.45pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Gordon 3, 32 pen, 33, 45+1 pen, Thiaw 8, Jacob Murphy 72
Qarabag FK:
Ceferquliyev 54
Possession was Newcastle 58% Qarabag FK 42%
Total shots were Newcastle 22 Qarabag FK 8
Shots on target were Newcastle 14 Qarabag FK 2
Corners were Newcastle 6 Qarabag FK 8
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 39 Qarabag FK 20
Newcastle team v 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 Subs:
Ramsdale, Harris, Ruddy, Alex Murphy, Shahar