First leg: Karabakh FK 1–6 Newcastle (18 February 2026)
The tie was effectively settled in the opening game in Baku, where Newcastle produced a ruthless attacking display to leave Qarabağ with a mountain to climb. Newcastle went ahead with a striker Anthony Gordon absolutely sensational – scoring four goals in the first half alone, including from the penalty spot and open play, and piling the pressure on the Azerbaijani hosts from the third minute.
Gordon’s first-half blitz set the tone early, putting Newcastle firmly in control. Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy also got on the scoresheet, rounding off an emphatic victory. Qarabağ’s lone goal—a consolation—came too late to alter the course of the game.
This performance not only gave Newcastle a big lead, but saw Gordon step up Champions League top scorer lists and even break European club goalscoring records.
First leg: Newcastle 3–2 Qarabağ FK (February 24, 2026)
Back at St James’ Park, the Magpies handled the second leg much more conservatively, aware that their huge first-leg lead (6–1) meant qualification was all but over. However, the match still produced drama.
Newcastle struck early with quick goals Sandro Tonali and Joelinton in the first five minutes, setting a positive tone for the home team. Qarabağ responded with goals from Camilo Durán and Elvin Cafarquliyev, making it a pulsating night for the fans. Sven Botman restored Newcastle’s lead with his first Champions League goal, making it 3–2 on the night.
Despite the tighter scoreline, Newcastle progressed comfortably 9-3 on aggregate, a significant achievement as they marked their first ever progression to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Key contributions
Newcastle performance
- Clinic in attack: Especially in the first leg, Newcastle showed elite finishing and offensive ruthlessness.
- Gordon in sensational form: His four goals were the catalyst for a huge first-leg lead and an outstanding individual performance in Europe.
- Home management: In the second leg, once the tie was secured, Newcastle held their nerve to ensure they did not relinquish momentum.
The Karabakh effort
- Fighting Spirit: Despite conceding a lot in the first leg, Qarabağ did not roll and showed resistance in the second leg with two goals.
- Experience gained: Competing against a big English club in a European double-header will be invaluable for their future campaigns.
what’s next
With this tie concluded, Newcastle United now await their round of 16 opponents, with possible clashes against heavyweights Chelsea or Barcelona in the next round, setting the stage for some exciting Champions League nights.
