qarabag fk vs newcastle: Anthony Gordon breaks Alan Shearer Champions League record

Anthony Gordon produced a landmark performance as Newcastle cruised to a 6-1 win in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Qarabag in Baku. The England international scored four times and took his tally for this European campaign to 10 goals, moving ahead of the club’s previous Champions League leading scorer, Alan Shearer.

Gordon’s landmark night — four goals and a new club milestone

Gordon’s evening began in decisive fashion and never let up. Deployed in a more advanced role, he combined searing pace with a clinical edge in front of goal, turning a long trip to the Azerbaijani capital into a statement night. He converted a penalty and added three further strikes, finishing with a hat-trick-plus-one that elevated him into rare company: the second Englishman to reach double figures in a single Champions League campaign.

When asked about the penalty, Gordon was unequivocal about his role within the team. "We should be in it together, " he said, adding that as an attacker and the designated penalty taker he wants to score as many goals as possible. His determination to keep the ball and take the spot-kick underlined the single-mindedness that has marked many of Newcastle’s recent attacking performances.

Tactical execution and Qarabag’s defensive lapses

Newcastle’s system on the night exposed a Qarabag side that began with a surprisingly high defensive line. The visitors’ high-intensity press and quick transitions created space behind the hosts’ defence, allowing Gordon to exploit gaps he had rarely seen in recent fixtures. A precise long pass released him for an early opener, and the pattern repeated as the first half wore on.

Newcastle’s set-up was intentionally aggressive: full-backs and centre-backs pushed forward to support quick breaks, and a fluid forward line made it difficult for Qarabag to pick up runners. That movement produced more goals from different sources as well; Newcastle’s defence also contributed with a headed finish, adding to the sense of dominance. By the time the visitors adjusted and dropped deeper in the second half, the damage had already been done.

There were structural questions for Qarabag. Their willingness to play a high line and attempt to play out from the back left them vulnerable to rapid counters. When an opponent with pace and directness occupies the space you surrender in that approach, the result can be emphatic — as it was in this case.

Half-time friction, broader implications and what comes next

The night was not without its flashpoints. A half-time disagreement over who would take the penalty briefly drew attention to the chemistry within the ranks, with a senior teammate and Gordon sparring over the set-piece. Both players later downplayed the incident, framing it as emotion in a competitive environment rather than any lasting discord.

From a competition perspective, the result hands Newcastle a commanding first-leg advantage and puts them in control ahead of the return match. For Gordon, the goals are both personal and tactical proof that the team can vary its attack and lean on a forward capable of finishing chances from multiple positions.

Newcastle will now prepare to complete the tie at home, mindful of ensuring the clinical intensity shown in Baku is reproduced. For Qarabag, the task is more clear-cut: regroup, shore up the back line and find a way to contain the blistering pace that caused them problems on the night. The outcome in this first leg leaves Newcastle well placed in the race for a place in the last 16, with Gordon’s record-breaking display adding an extra chapter to a memorable European evening.