There were plenty of contenders for the official UEFA Champions League team of the week after this midweek action.
The first leg play-off round of matches in the top European competition.
Sixteen clubs competing, with four matches on Tuesday and then another four on Wednesday.
When it comes to games that might have produced these contenders, did the match in Azerbaijan serve up any contenders…?
Eddie Howe’s side with an exhilarating first half performance that blew Qarabag FK away. Newcastle United five up at the break and eventually winning 6-1 as they coasted through the second half.
What about all the individuals though from the eight play-off first leg matches?
Official UEFA Champions League announcement – 19 February 2026:
‘Champions League Team of the Week:
The all-star team from the first legs of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs, as selected by the UEFA Technical Observer Group, which has an experienced observer watching each match and is supported in its selections by the UEFA Game Insight Unit in Nyon, Switzerland.
Gregor Kobel, Dortmund
Julian Ryerson, Dortmund
Davinson Sánchez, Galatasaray
Dan Burn, Newcastle
Gave a strong display at the back against Qarabağ and strode forward to play Anthony Gordon through for the opening goal.
Alejandro Grimaldo, Leverkusen
Christos Tzolis, Club Brugge
Aurélien Tchouaméni, Real Madrid
Gabriel Sara, Galatasaray
Désiré Doué, Paris
Kasper Høgh, Bodø/Glimt
Anthony Gordon, Newcastle
With his movement and darting runs behind the Qarabağ defence, he was a huge threat – as highlighted by his four goals as he became Newcastle’s leading scorer in the competition ahead of Alan Shearer.
In addition, Anthony Gordon was also named the overall Champions League player of the week.