Newcastle United secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a commanding 9-3 aggregate victory over Qarabağ, completing the job at St. James’ Park with a 3-2 win on the night. Manager Eddie Howe celebrated the milestone achievement as the Magpies set up a tantalizing two-legged tie against either Barcelona or Chelsea in the next round.
The match began explosively for the home side, with Sandro Tonali opening the scoring in just the third minute after William Osula’s initial effort was saved. Joelinton doubled the advantage seconds later with a clinical volley from Harvey Barnes’ cross, extending Newcastle’s already comfortable 6-1 first-leg lead.
Newcastle United Navigates Champions League Pressure
According to Howe, the early two-goal cushion presented an unexpected challenge for his team. The head coach admitted the quick start created “a dangerous feeling” that affected his side’s urgency throughout the remainder of the contest. Despite dominating the early proceedings, Newcastle struggled to maintain their intensity after establishing such a commanding position in the tie.
Qarabağ refused to surrender despite the overwhelming deficit, showing resilience that troubled the Premier League side. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was forced into action multiple times, making an acrobatic save to tip Camilo Durán’s shot over the bar in the first half. The Azerbaijan champions demonstrated their attacking intent throughout the encounter, creating several genuine scoring opportunities.
Debuts and Milestones Mark Historic Night
The Champions League knockout stage clash provided a platform for emerging talent, with Alex Murphy making his full debut and first appearance in Europe’s premier competition. Additionally, teenage full-back Leo Shahar earned his Newcastle debut late in the match, capping a memorable evening for the club’s younger players. Jacob Murphy also celebrated his 31st birthday, though he narrowly missed adding to the scoreline with a first-half effort.
Meanwhile, the second half brought more drama as Durán broke through Newcastle’s defense to pull one back for the visitors, drawing applause even from home supporters. However, Sven Botman quickly restored the three-goal cushion by heading home Kieran Trippier’s corner before being substituted as part of a triple change.
Penalty Drama and Late Resistance
In contrast to Newcastle’s earlier dominance, Qarabağ continued pressing and won a penalty in the 56th minute after Dan Burn’s handball. Ramsdale initially saved Joni Montiel’s spot-kick, but Elvin Cafarguliyev converted the rebound to keep the contest competitive. The Newcastle goalkeeper produced several more crucial interventions, including a brilliant stop to deny Abdellah Zoubir.
At the opposite end, Qarabağ keeper Mateusz Kochalski made important saves to deny Harvey Barnes twice in the closing stages. The competitive nature of the match persisted despite the aggregate scoreline being beyond doubt, with both teams creating chances until the final whistle.
Champions League Progress Boosts Season Ambitions
The victory represents Newcastle’s fourth win in their last five matches across all competitions, providing significant momentum as they navigate a challenging campaign. Howe emphasized his belief that his squad can compete with elite opposition, expressing confidence regardless of whether they face Barcelona or Chelsea in the last 16. The manager stressed that progressing to the Champions League knockout stages represents nothing short of a massive achievement for the club.
The draw for the next round will determine Newcastle United’s opponents, with the two-legged tie scheduled for the coming months. Howe and his players now await confirmation of their next European test as they look to extend their impressive continental journey.
