qarabag fk vs newcastle: Anthony Gordon breaks Alan Shearer’s Champions League record
Anthony Gordon produced a statement performance in Baku, scoring four times as Newcastle United romped to a 6-1 win in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie. The England forward’s haul pushed him to 10 goals in this campaign, overtaking Alan Shearer to become the club’s leading goal scorer in the competition.
Gordon’s landmark night
Gordon opened the scoring early and never let up, exploiting space behind Qarabag’s defence and finishing with clinical precision. He also stepped up to convert a penalty late in the first half after winning the spot-kick, making clear he wanted the responsibility and the chance to add to his tally. After the match he said the ambition was simple: he is an attacker and wants to score as many goals as possible.
The four-goal display sealed a number of milestones. Gordon now has 10 Champions League goals this season for Newcastle, surpassing the previous club mark held by the legendary striker Alan Shearer. He joined the short list of Newcastle players to score a European hat-trick and became the first to net four in the knockout stage of the Champions League.
Tactical breakdown and Qarabag’s struggle
Newcastle’s approach to the game exposed Qarabag’s decision to defend high in the first half. The hosts struggled to cope with Gordon’s pace and movement, particularly when the winger operated through the middle with Nick Woltemade occupying the No. 10 role. The early defensive line splits created repeated openings and Newcastle capitalised ruthlessly.
Dan Burn’s adventurous pass set up one of Gordon’s goals, while Malick Thiaw also got on the scoresheet to put the game beyond doubt before half-time. A pundit watching the match noted surprise at Qarabag’s willingness to maintain a high line against a side so adept at quick transitions and aggressive pressing, a decision that left them vulnerable to Newcastle’s direct threat.
Implications for the tie and next steps
While the scoreline gives Newcastle a commanding advantage heading into the second leg, the tie is not mathematically over. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe described the performance as one of the best he has seen from his side in some time, but warned against complacency. Qarabag will head to St. James’ Park with a mountain to climb, but will also have the chance to regroup and approach the return leg with tactical adjustments.
For Newcastle, the match offered both a morale boost and clarity about personnel options. Gordon’s ability to lead the line and create chances through sheer movement adds a useful dimension to the team’s front line, complementing other attacking options. The club’s trip to Azerbaijan proved restorative for players who had faced a congested schedule in recent weeks, and the emphatic win sends a message to potential opponents about Newcastle’s potency on the big stage.
Gordon’s record-breaking night will be talked about long after the tie concludes, but the practical focus for both sides shifts now to preparation for the return fixture. Newcastle will aim to manage the tie with the same intensity while protecting the lead, and Qarabag must decide whether to press high again or adopt a more conservative approach to limit further damage.
