The electric atmosphere of St James' Park provided the backdrop for a high-scoring encounter as Newcastle United successfully navigated their way into the Champions League Round of 16. Despite a spirited and resilient performance from the visiting Qarabag, the Magpies’ clinical edge and early dominance proved sufficient to see them through. Following a commanding display across the two-legged tie, the Tyneside club confirmed their progression with a hard-fought victory on the night, ensuring their European journey continues into the elite knockout stages.
A Lightning Start On Tyneside
Newcastle United entered the match with clear intent, wasting no time in establishing their authority through fluid passing and high-intensity pressing. The home supporters had barely settled into their seats before the deadlock was broken in the fourth minute. A stinging effort from Jacob Murphy forced a save from Qarabag’s goalkeeper, Mateusz Kochalski, but the rebound fell perfectly into the path of Sandro Tonali. The Italian midfielder showed great predatory instinct to pounce on the loose ball and slot it home, igniting the Gallowgate End.
The momentum stayed firmly with the hosts, and the lead was doubled just two minutes later. Exploiting space on the flank, Harvey Barnes delivered a pinpoint cross that found Joelinton in the heart of the penalty area. The Brazilian powerhouse made no mistake, finishing with composure to put Newcastle in a commanding position within the opening ten minutes. It was a sequence of play that showcased the tactical cohesion and attacking flair that has become a hallmark of the team’s current European campaign.
Maintaining Pressure Amidst Resistance
With a two-goal cushion, Newcastle looked to dismantle their opponents entirely. The trio of Joelinton, Murphy, and Barnes remained a constant thorn in Qarabag's side, each registering notable attempts on goal as they searched for a third. However, Mateusz Kochalski recovered well from the early concessions, producing a string of focused saves to keep the Azerbaijani side from collapsing.
Qarabag, to their credit, refused to be mere spectators. Despite the overwhelming pressure, they carved out opportunities of their own. Elvin Cafarquliyev and Camilo Duran both managed to test the reflexes of Aaron Ramsdale, reminding the home side that the contest was far from over. While the visitors lacked the finishing touch in the first half, their ability to transition quickly served as a persistent warning to the Newcastle backline.
A Second-Half See-Saw Battle
The game took on a more frantic character after the halftime interval. Qarabag emerged with renewed belief and managed to claw their way back into the match in the 51st minute. A lapse in defensive concentration allowed Camilo Duran to find the back of the net, narrowing the deficit to a single goal and briefly silencing the home crowd. The prospect of a nervous comeback loomed, but Newcastle’s response was almost instantaneous.
Just two minutes after conceding, the Magpies earned a corner which proved to be the undoing of the visitors. Sven Botman rose highest in a crowded box, connecting with a powerful header that flew past Kochalski to restore the two-goal lead. It was a vital intervention from the Dutch defender, re-establishing Newcastle’s cushion and deflating the momentum the visitors had worked so hard to build.
Securing The Path To The Round Of 16
The closing stages of the match saw Qarabag push forward with desperation. Their persistence was rewarded when Elvin Cafarquliyev managed to strike again for the visitors, making the scoreline 3-2. Despite the late pressure and the narrowing margin on the night, Newcastle’s defensive structure held firm during the final exchanges to prevent a complete equalizer.
When the final whistle blew, the 3-2 victory on the night finalized a comprehensive 9-3 aggregate score across the two legs. While the second-leg performance was perhaps more competitive than the coaching staff would have liked, the primary objective was achieved with style. Newcastle United now moves forward into the Round of 16, carrying the hopes of their city into the business end of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.