Qarabag FK 1 Newcastle 6 – Wednesday 18 February 2026 5.45pm
A dream start and a dream finish to the first half (or is that first quarter?) of Newcastle United’s initial knockout match in the Champions League.
A through ball by Big Dan Burn with the outside of his left foot, the sort of pass that Bruno G, our injured captain, would have loved, was perfectly paced for Anthony Gordon to strike first time, forcefully, into the right corner of Kochalski’s net.
One nil in three minutes became 2-0 in eight when Malick Thiaw towered above the Qarabag defenders to head a Kieran Trippier cross from the left wing back into the far corner.
Konchalski was the hosts’ top player but he could do nothing to prevent number three, a Gordon penalty smashed high to the keeper’s right. The spot kick 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, outstripped the defence, rounded the keeper and tucked the ball home, all at lightning speed.
The winger who allegedly cannot finish scored his fourth in stoppage time when he again raced clear through the centre and was sent tumbling by Konchalski.
Before he scored, Gordon had to win an argument with Trippier, who seemed to be calling for a teammate to take the penalty. Gordon was having none of it and justified his single-mindedness by smashing in the kick to the keeper’s left.
Five nil at the interval didn’t flatter Newcastle, who appeared to have a couple more players than Qarabag. The Azerbaijani outfit were unable to muster even one attempt in the first half.
They were better on the restart and gained a small reward for their determination when Ceferquliyev reduced the deficit. Initially flagged offside as he cut 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 Burn’s face at that concession spoke volumes.
A fierce deflected shot had Pope diving full length as the ball flew a few inches wide.
Three substitutions (Ramsely, Osula, Jacob Murphy) refreshed United and gave Gordon, Willock and Elanga nearly half an hour’s respite.
One of the replacements, Jacob Murphy, took only a few minutes to join the party. He cut in from the right flank and fired goalwards. The ball was arcing towards the net when it deflected off a defender’s head and wrongfooted the keeper.
The Qarabag keeper kept the score within reason with two more outstanding saves. Joelinton made a welcome return to action in the closing stages and Sean Neave was given a brief run-out.
The second half (or was it the second quarter?) was inevitably an anticlimax compared with what had gone before. That is almost irrelevant in the bigger picture and the 2,000 travelling fans will care not a jot.
Neither should any other Newcastle United supporter. With Gordon spearheading a fast and mobile attack, with Nick Woltemade linking play skilfully in midfield and with Sandro Tonali again full of running, there was more than enough to celebrate.
One breathtaking run down the left touchline by Lewis Hall, showcasing his remarkable footwork at high speed, bamboozled four or five opponents in the closing stages.
Three away wins on the trot for a team that cannot win except at St James’ Park. Two high-class goals from a winger who cannot score from open play (not to mention his two unstoppable penalties). No apparent injuries.
And perhaps an intriguing glimpse of what Eddie Howe’s squad can produce when they are on song, even with six or seven players absent.
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