qarabag fk vs newcastle: Anthony Gordon’s four-goal masterclass sends Magpies 6-1 clear
Anthony Gordon produced a landmark performance as Newcastle United demolished Qarabag 6-1 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie. Gordon netted four times, converted a penalty he had won, and moved past a club great to become Newcastle's leading scorer in the competition with 10 goals, leaving his side in a dominant position heading into the return leg.
Gordon’s finishing and single-mindedness steal the show
The forward was unrelenting from the kickoff, turning a night in Baku into a personal showcase of pace, movement and clinical finishing. He opened the scoring after a slick build-up and added three more before the break, including the penalty he insisted on taking after drawing the foul. After the match he said the instinct of an attacker was to take chances when they arrive and that he wanted to score as many goals as possible — a resolve that underpinned the display.
Gordon’s role from a central position, with support behind him, caught the hosts off guard. His positioning and bursts in behind Qarabag’s defence repeatedly disrupted their back line, creating space for team-mates and forcing the Azeri champions to alter their approach as the first half unfolded.
Opponents’ high line and defensive lapses exploited
Qarabag began the match defending unusually high, a tactic that handed the visitors room to run into and ultimately proved costly. Newcastle’s tempo and directness exposed gaps on more than one occasion, and by the time the hosts dropped deeper in the second half the scoreline had already been stretched beyond reach. Observers noted that Qarabag’s willingness to press so high invited trouble against a Newcastle side that has been dangerous on the break this season.
There were contributions across the team: a composed finish from a set-up by the back line, a headed goal from a defender capitalising on space, and intelligent interplay that stretched the home side. Although Qarabag offered moments of resistance and managed a consolation strike, they were simply unable to cope with the sustained intensity and precision of Newcastle’s attack in the opening 45 minutes.
Implications and what comes next
The emphatic victory hands the travelling support much to savour and gives Newcastle a huge advantage before the second leg. The manager hailed the performance as one of the best the squad has produced in recent times and warned against complacency, reminding players that there is still a full tie to be played and that Qarabag will be motivated to overturn the deficit at St James’ Park.
For Gordon, the night marked more than just a personal haul of goals. By becoming the club’s leading scorer in the Champions League, he has moved into the history books and underlined his importance to Newcastle’s continental ambitions. His ability to occupy central areas, press from the front and finish chances makes him a major asset as the competition progresses.
Newcastle now head home with a commanding aggregate cushion but with one eye on maintaining concentration and control in the return fixture. For Qarabag, the challenge is clear: regroup quickly, tighten the back line and find a way to stifle the pace and ingenuity that wrecked them in Baku.
