Newcastle Vs Qarabag Fk — newcastle vs qarabag fk: Magpies through to Champions League last 16 after 3-2 win (9-3 agg)

newcastle vs qarabag fk ended 3-2 on the night and 9-3 on aggregate, as Newcastle reached the Champions League last 16 after a second-leg victory at St James' Park. The result confirmed a two-legged last-16 tie against either Barcelona or Chelsea and closed out the play-off.

Early goals and a rapid start at St James' Park

Sandro Tonali and Joelinton put Newcastle in command inside minutes. In one account Tonali opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Qarabağ goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski could only parry William Osula's header into the Italian's path; in another account Tonali is recorded as scoring in the third minute, with William Osula's effort saved before Tonali forced the ball over the line at the Leazes End. Seconds later Harvey Barnes delivered a cross that Joelinton volleyed home.

Alex Murphy made his full debut at left-back and shared his reaction to making his Champions League debut at St James' Park; one account noted Murphy is a 21-year-old Irish defender who had a good game and perhaps deserves a Premier League chance. Nick Woltemade started in a fluid attacking midfield role behind William Osula, and Jacob Murphy — playing on his 31st birthday in one account — was involved in a near-chance created by Woltemade.

Newcastle Vs Qarabag Fk: team changes, substitutions and debuts

Howe rotated his side for the tie but change counts vary across accounts: one account says he made seven changes from Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, while another says he made six changes. Either way, there were notable debuts and late appearances: Alex Murphy started for his Champions League debut, and teenage full-back Leo Shahar made his Newcastle debut late on. Sven Botman headed Kieran Trippier's right-wing corner to restore a clear aggregate cushion before coming off almost immediately as part of a triple substitution.

Joelinton was later withdrawn after a strong start. Botman's header made it 3-1 on the night in one account; Newcastle's series of changes folded into a night that also featured moments from Jacob Murphy and Nick Woltemade in attack.

Qarabag fightback: Durán, penalties and rebounds

Qarabag, the Azerbaijan Premier League champions, rallied after half-time. Camilo Durán (also presented as Camilo Duran in some accounts) skipped away from Dan Burn and finished past Aaron Ramsdale to pull a goal back and spark the travelling support, described as having made a mammoth 2, 500-mile journey in one account.

Dan Burn was penalised for a handball inside the box in the 56th minute in one account. Aaron Ramsdale produced at least one key penalty save: one account records Ramsdale keeping out Marko Jankovic's spot-kick before Elvin Cəfərquliyev reacted to knock in the rebound; other accounts say Ramsdale saved a spot-kick from Joni Montiel and that Elvin Cafarguliyev gobbled up the rebound. The Elvin name appears in the context as Cəfərquliyev, Cafarguliyev and Jafarguliyev across accounts.

Qarabag were praised for stabilising and making it difficult for Newcastle to play in at least one account, and manager Gurban Gurbanov had instructed his players to "be more careful and more responsible" for the short trip to Tyneside. One account said Qarabağ did not arrive on Tyneside until 11pm on Monday night and were due to board a six-hour flight straight back after the final whistle, noting a four-hour time difference that made the schedule particularly exhausting.

Goalkeeping interventions, saves and further chances

Aaron Ramsdale produced several notable interventions. In one account he made an acrobatic tip over the bar to keep out a Camilo Durán effort and later denied Elvin Jafarguliyev; in another he saved a spot-kick and then had to contend with rebounds and follow-ups. Mateusz Kochalski made a number of saves for Qarabağ, denying Joelinton on one occasion and holding a low strike from Harvey Barnes on another.

Abdellah Zoubir is recorded in one account as forcing a brilliant save from Ramsdale. Newcastle's Osman/Osula involvement featured early and later attempts, with Osula's earlier effort saved before Tonali's finish.

Aggregate picture and wider Champions League play-offs

The night finished FT: Newcastle 3-2 Qarabağ (9-3 agg), meaning Newcastle progressed to the Champions League last 16 and will face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the two-legged tie that follows. Eddie Howe described reaching the last 16 as "a massive achievement" in one account and reflected that going 2-0 up early had been "almost a dangerous feeling" in another account, saying there was "a lot to reflect and improve on".

Elsewhere in the play-offs, Inter lost 1-2 to Bodo — with Hauge putting the visitors ahead, Evjen doubling the lead and Bastoni replying — leaving the aggregate 2-5. Atletico Madrid beat Club Brugge to set up a tie with either Liverpool or Spurs. Bayer Leverkusen drew 0-0 with Olympiacos (2-0 agg) and will face Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last 16. The live page for further Champions League action was scheduled to return at 18: 30 GMT on Wednesday for four more play-off second-leg ties.

Reactions and closing notes from the managers and players

Eddie Howe offered multiple reflections across accounts: one included "It's a massive achievement from us to get to the last 16" and another noted "There's a lot we can improve on but this is an amazing competition and the most important thing is that we're in the last 16. " Gurban Gurbanov sought a measure of pride restoration for Qarabağ and was quoted urging responsibility from his players before the match.

Players singled out across accounts included Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Harvey Barnes, William Osula, Alex Murphy, Nick Woltemade, Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Aaron Ramsdale, Mateusz Kochalski, Camilo Durán/Camilo Duran, Elvin Cəfərquliyev/Elvin Cafarguliyev/Elvin Jafarguliyev, Marko Jankovic, Joni Montiel, Kevin Medina, Abdellah Zoubir, Jacob Murphy and Leo Shahar.