Newcastle United delivered a football masterclass in their UEFA Champions League playoff match against Qarabag, securing a resounding 6-1 victory. The match, held at the Baku Olympic Stadium, saw the English side take a dominant stance from the onset, with Anthony Gordon scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to a comfortable win.
The game started explosively with Anthony Gordon finding the net just 3 minutes into the game, thanks to a precise assist from Dan Burn. The early goal set the tone for Newcastle, and they quickly doubled their lead five minutes later through Malick Thiaw, who converted a header from Kieran Trippier's corner. By halftime, Newcastle had extended their lead to 5-0, with Gordon adding two more to his tally, including a penalty.
Qarabag managed to pull one back in the 72nd minute through Elvin Cafarquliyev, with Abdellah Zoubir providing the assist. However, any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed as Jacob Murphy scored Newcastle's sixth, assisted by Harvey Barnes, ensuring a formidable lead going into the second leg of the playoff.
Statistically, Newcastle dominated the game with 14 shots on target compared to Qarabag's 2, and an expected goals (xG) metric of 3.97 indicating the quality of chances created. With this commanding lead, Newcastle are poised to progress comfortably in their Champions League campaign, barring an extraordinary turnaround in the second leg.
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
Newcastle United takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Qarabag. Anthony Gordon found the back of the net, striking with his right foot from the right side of the penalty area into the left corner. The assist came from Dan Burn, who delivered a precise through ball.
3':
GOAL Newcastle: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) scores!
Anthony Gordon scores goal number 7 in the competition (9 matches)
Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 2. Malick Thiaw heads the ball into the left corner from just a few meters out. The assist comes from Kieran Trippier, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 2. Malick Thiaw scores for Newcastle United with a close-range header into the bottom left corner. The assist comes from Kieran Trippier, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 2. Malick Thiaw scores for Newcastle United with a header from close range into the bottom left corner. The assist comes from Kieran Trippier, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.
8':
GOAL Newcastle: Malick Thiaw (Newcastle) scores!
Malick Thiaw scores goal number 1 in the competition (9 matches)
32':
GOALNewcastle: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) scores penalty-kick!
Anthony Gordon scores goal number 8 in the competition (9 matches)
Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 4. Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United scores with a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 4. Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United scores with a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area into the bottom left corner.
33':
GOAL Newcastle: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) scores!
Anthony Gordon scores goal number 9 in the competition (9 matches)
Qarabag 0, Newcastle United 5. Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United successfully scores the penalty, striking the ball with his right foot into the top right corner of the net.
45 +1':
GOALNewcastle: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) scores penalty-kick!
Anthony Gordon scores goal number 10 in the competition (9 matches)
54':
GOAL Qarabag: Elvin Cafarquliyev (Qarabag) scores!
Elvin Cafarquliyev scores goal number 1 in the competition (9 matches)
Qarabag 1, Newcastle United 6. Jacob Murphy scores for Newcastle United with a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
72':
GOAL Newcastle: Jacob Murphy (Newcastle) scores!
Jacob Murphy scores goal number 1 in the competition (6 matches)
86':
Opportunity wasted. Badavi Hüseynov from Qarabag attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to score. The assist came from Kady Borges, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
87':
Missed opportunity. Marko Jankovic from Qarabag attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a corner, but it went wide to the left.
89':
Missed opportunity! Malick Thiaw from Newcastle United attempted a header from the center of the box but sent it wide to the left. The cross was delivered by Sean Neave.
998':
The referee whistles for the end of the match