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Season 2025-26
Qarabag (Azerbaijan) (h) Champions League Knockout Round Playoff 2nd Leg

 


Date:
Tuesday 24th February 2026, 8pm
Live on TNT Sports

Venue:  St.James' Park

Conditions: Unencumbered

Tickets: £65 & £75 for CL scheme, otherwise £70 & £80



 

Newcastle

 

Qarabag FK

 

3 - 2


 

Teams

Goals

4 mins With visiting players standing off him, Sandro Tonali progressed to the edge of the Leazes End box before slipping a short pass to Nick Woltemade. His first-time ball forward allowed Dan Burn to turn and shoot goalwards, to be blocked by an opponent but fall to Harvey Barnes to his left.

His inswinging centre reached William Osula, whose header grazed the upper arm of Jafarquliyev before being palmed away by the goalkeeper. That fell for Tonali, who struck from six yards for the first Champions League goal of his career.
1-0

6 mins Burn gained possession from an opponent down Newcastle's left hand channel and pushed a pass to Woltemade, who set Barnes away to deliver a curling left footed cross that the unmarked Joelinton volleyed home powerfully from seven yards out into the roof of the net. 2-0

Half time: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0

50 mins Medina's pass down the centre of the field was helped on by Montiel and set Camilo Duran away for a run on goal. Showing Burn a clean pair of heels, he made it into the right side of the box and shot right-footed, finding a gap between Aaron Ramsdale and his near post. 2-1

52 mins Kieran Trippier sent over a right-footed outswinging corner from the United right that Sven Botman rose to meet and head into the net, having shaken off his marker Mathus Silva. 3-1


 

57 mins Pedro Bichalo's attempted pull back from the right hand side of the United area struck the right hand of Burn as he slid in to block. Ramsdale dived left but got his feet in the way of Marko Jankovic's spot kick, only for Elvin Jafarguliyev to beat Jacob Murphy on the follow up and scoop the ball home, Ramsdale in the net and unable to block before the ball was over the line. 3-2

Full time:Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2

We Said


Eddie Howe said:

"It's a massive achievement from us to get to the last 16. I've loved the new format, I think it's a really good thing. I've really enjoyed it. Coming to the pressure games, the double-headers, we've navigated that really well.

"I don't think it was a great performance
(tonight), but I'm really pleased that we won.

"This was our target at the start of the season. We discussed various things and to get to the knockout stages was there for us and we felt we could achieve it with the players we have.

"It's been a really exciting phase of this competition. We've really enjoyed the different challenges.
"The knockout stage will be a different challenge for us at the sharp end against elite teams, so everything to look forward to.

"But at the back of my mind we have to get our Premier League form back to where we want it to be and that will give us the best chance to do well at this competition as well.

"I thought at 2-0 we probably came off the pedal. We didn't intend to do that but it was sort of the natural reaction.

"In the second half the game became end-to-end which, for us, was a real shame. For one, we extended too much energy and it meant we didn't put pressure on their goal, so we're disappointed with that 45 minutes."

On Nick Woltemade:

"I think the main thing we've been saying to him is stay between the lines. Certainly don't come away from their midfield line to still be a goal threat because he's 6'7, he should still be a target from crosses.

"There were a few balls there that on another day he could've got on the end of because we want him to score goals. That's part of the reason we brought him here.

"I think there were moments for him but I think that was the least impact he's had in that position for us."

On preferring Barcelona or Chelsea:

"Genuinely I haven't given it a seconds thought. I know those teams have been there for us. The main thing was to get through and really pleased with the professional job we've done.

"I think if you look at the score over the two legs it's been fantastic from the players even though today feels like a bit of a hollow win for us.

"We had really enjoyed the game against Barcelona, we had a good game against Chelsea here as well, we didn't win either, so I hope that's a good omen for us."

On the Wor Flags banner dedicated to him:

"Amazing. Big thank you to everyone that thought of that idea. It's much appreciated the love that the supporters give me and the team. It means everything."

They Said

Gurban Gurbanov said:

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Newcastle fans. They applauded our good attacks and the goal we scored, and sometimes even cheered us on. They showed themselves in the best possible light.

"Their players represented their club tremendously, but we won't be applauding anything the weekends visitors do, that's for sure....(second-placed Qarabag play leaders Sabah Baku).

"I want to thank my players, because they have had a long and exciting campaign in the Champions League. I'm very pleased with each of them for the game, the performance and the character they showed.

"They also showed themselves in the best possible light against Newcastle today. We conceded two goals early on, but the team managed to regroup and never gave up.

"Every game was a great experience for us. In the league phase, we played against big clubs who operate in different systems.

"For us, the biggest experience was the games against the English clubs. Of course, I would have liked us to play better in those games, but I think we managed to show our best side."

Stats


Newcastle played their 150th game in European competitions since defeating Feyenoord 4-0 at home in 1968. They have won 81, drawn 33 and lost 36. Goals for 253 and goals against 145.

United reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the second time in their history, Bobby Robson's side having done it in 2002/03. The format of the competition then meant that the sides were involved in a second Group Stage with four groups of four teams, the top two in each then advancing to the knockout Quarter-finals. United finished third behind Barcelona and Inter Milan.

Sandro Tonali is the latest player to score for Newcastle in Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League games. He emulates colleagues Dan Burn, Anthony Gordon, Joelinton, Lewis Miley, Joe Willock and Nick Woltemade.

Tonali now has 10 league and cup goals for United, Joelinton 35 and Botman four.

Tonali's opener sneaks into the list of fastest European strikes for the club:

1 min Rob Lee v Royal Antwerp (a) (UE)
2 mins Pop Robson v Real Zaragoza (h) (FC)
2 mins Nobby Solano v Troyes (h) (IC)
3 mins Patrick Kluivert v Sakhnin (h) (UE)
3 mins Anthony Gordon v Qarabag (a) (CL)
4 mins Michael Chopra v Dubnica (a) (IC)
4 mins Sandro Tonali v Qarabag (h) (CL)

There was a senior competitive debut for 18 year right back Leo Shahar, from the bench.

Following six substitute outings in Premier League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup games, there was a first senior competitive start for 21 year-old left back Alex Murphy.

Murphy is the 202nd different Magpie to feature in Europe for Newcastle, Shahar the 203rd.

NUFC top European scorers:

30 Alan Shearer
15 Shola Ameobi
11 Craig Bellamy
10 Wyn Davies/Anthony Gordon

Newcastle have scored 79 goals this season during 44 competitive games in all competitions:

14 Gordon
12 Barnes
10 Woltemade
9 Guimaraes
6 Joelinton
5 Thiaw
3 Miley, J.Murphy, Osula,
Tonali, Wissa
2 Botman
1 Burn, Elanga, Hall, Ramsey, Schar, Willock

(Unusually, they're yet to benefit from an own goal)

They netted 88 times in 44 league and cup games last season, breaking the century with 102 during the 51 competitive fixtures during 2023/24.

Qualification for the two-legged Round of 16 means that Eddie Howe's side will play a minimum of 20 cup games this season. Added to 38 league games, that's the club's busiest schedule in the Premier League era - one more than 2006/07 and 2004/05.

This was Qarabag's seventh competitive visit to a PL side and they remain without a point:

2015/16 Spurs (a) lost 1-3
2017/18 Chelsea (a) lost 0-6
2018/19 Arsenal (a) lost 0-1
2024/25 Spurs (a) lost 0-3
2025/26 Liverpool (a) lost 0-6
2025/26 Newcastle (a)
lost 2-3


 

Waffle

Newcastle completed an aggregate 9-3 victory over their Azerbaijani opponents on Tuesday night, rubber-stamping a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League, where they'll face either Barcelona or Chelsea.

Racing into a two goal lead after eight minutes in Baku, United were off the mark even quicker at Gallowgate, both Sandro Tonali and Joelinton both netting within the opening six minutes.

However the earlier impetus in front of goal was gradually lost and the visitors called goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale into action for the first time just past the half hour mark.

Unchanged after the interval, Eddie Howe's side were caught out five minutes into the second period when Camilo Duran won his foot race with Dan Burn before finishing well at the Leazes End where the knot of away fans celebrated.

That kick-started United into life and the porous Qarabag defence was pierced for the ninth time almost immediately, as Sven Botman rose unchallenged to head home Kieran Trippier's corner.

The next goal went the way of the visitors; Burn penalised for a handball in the box that was on a par with the first one awarded to United in Baku. Although Ramsdale denied Marko Jankovic from 12 yards, he was unable to keep out Elvin Jafarguliyev's follow-up.  

Qarabag were then denied an equaliser on the night by Ramsdale, just as Tonali squared up to Joni Montiel in the United area. Thankfully the Newcastle midfielder escaped censure.

United's attempts at boosting the margin of victory were unconvincing: Woltemade twice failing with headers and substitute pair Yoane Wissa and Joe Willock contributing nothing of note.

It could be argued that the trio all wasted an opportunity offered here tonight to boost their own reputations - Will Osula not far behind in terms of ineffectiveness.

The scoreline was of course irrelevant by then, with no cost to the hosts coming through injury or suspension - although Burn put in more of a shift than he may have expected, trying to contain a fleet-footed Qarabag attack.

Alex Murphy had a relatively trouble-free first senior start, moving from left back to centre half in the second half while Leo Shahar got a late run in his usual right back slot after multiple unused substitute selections since April 2025. The pair were then tasked with mixed zone media duties.

One of our easier European nights then to bring up the 150 mark and although we made slightly heavy weather of winning this second leg, the fact it became a non-event was because of our efforts.

The next two cup ties here will doubtless be rather more of a test, but first comes the little matter of two Premier League fixtures on home turf against tricky opponents.

The wisdom of tonight's team selections may then become more apparent, but those extolling the virtues of the "young 'uns" and urging them to be blooded may care to watch the U21s in person and consult a PL2 league table in which powerhouses like Ipswich, Boro and Stoke lie ahead of us.


Biffa