Newcastle United secured their place in the Champions League last 16 despite a spirited fightback from Qarabag in their second leg encounter at St James’ Park. The Premier League side progressed with a 3-2 victory on the night, completing a 9-3 aggregate triumph that sets up a knockout tie against either Barcelona or Chelsea. Manager Eddie Howe made seven changes to his lineup but saw his side claim the result needed to advance in Europe’s elite competition.
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the fourth minute, finishing off an attacking move he had started himself. Just two minutes later, Joelinton doubled Newcastle’s advantage with a clinical volley from Harvey Barnes’s cross, according to match reports. The early goals appeared to put the tie firmly beyond the Azerbaijani champions’ reach.
Newcastle United Dominance Tested by Resilient Visitors
However, Qarabag refused to surrender meekly after their 6-1 first leg defeat in Baku. The visitors improved considerably as the match progressed, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale forced into a smart save to deny Elvin Jafarguliyev before the interval. Their Colombian forward Camilo Durán emerged as a particular threat, prompting attention from any watching Premier League scouts.
The 24-year-old Durán showcased his quality early in the second half, outpacing Dan Burn before beating Ramsdale with an excellent finish. His performance highlighted Qarabag’s determination to restore some pride following their heavy first leg loss. Additionally, the visitors demonstrated they possessed genuine quality despite the lopsided aggregate scoreline.
Momentum Shifts as Concentration Wavers
Sven Botman appeared to restore Newcastle’s two-goal cushion by heading home Kieran Trippier’s corner. Meanwhile, the hosts’ focus seemed to drift with their last 16 place already secured. Howe acknowledged his team “probably came off the pedal” at 2-0, allowing Qarabag opportunities they exploited effectively.
Jafarguliyev reduced the deficit once more, scoring from the rebound after Ramsdale parried Marko Jankovic’s penalty. The spot kick was awarded for Dan Burn’s handball, giving Qarabag a consolation goal on the night. In contrast to their first leg capitulation, Gurban Gurbanov’s side showed commendable fighting spirit despite facing exhausting travel circumstances.
Challenging Schedule for Visiting Side
The Azerbaijani title holders did not arrive on Tyneside until 11pm Monday night and faced a six-hour flight back to Baku immediately after the final whistle. The four-hour time difference added to an exhausting schedule that seemed hardly conducive to mounting any comeback. Nevertheless, Qarabag’s improved second half display provided a minor high note to their Champions League exit.
Howe utilized the comfortable aggregate lead to rotate his squad, handing 21-year-old Irish defender Alex Murphy his first start at left-back. The manager also started £69m Germany striker Nick Woltemade in a flexible attacking midfield role. Murphy delivered a solid performance that may warrant Premier League opportunities in future matches.
Manager Reflects on Professional Performance
After the match, Howe said the game became “end to end” in the second half with Newcastle expending “too much energy without threatening their goal.” The manager expressed disappointment with certain aspects but emphasized that “over two legs, it was a professional job.” He added that reaching the last 16 of this “amazing competition” was the most important outcome.
The Newcastle manager’s current motivational slogan “One Brain” encourages synchronicity through collective mindset and unity of purpose. This philosophy appeared effective in the early stages before home concentration understandably wandered with qualification secured. Howe acknowledged there remains “a lot we can improve on” ahead of the knockout rounds.
Newcastle will discover their last 16 opponents once the remaining playoff ties conclude. The draw for the knockout phase will determine whether they face Barcelona or Chelsea in what promises to be a challenging test of their European credentials.
