Newcastle Vs Qarabag Fk: Magpies through to Champions League last 16 after 3-2 win
newcastle vs qarabag fk ended 3-2 at St James' Park as Newcastle reached the Champions League last 16 9-3 on aggregate, a result that confirmed a two-legged tie with either Barcelona or Chelsea.
Newcastle’s rapid start and the decisive aggregate
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the third minute after William Osula’s header was parried into his path, and Joelinton volleyed seconds later from Harvey Barnes’ cross to make it 2-0 on the night and stretch Newcastle’s advantage in the tie already built by a 6-1 first-leg win in Azerbaijan.
Qarabag fightback, penalty drama and late reactions
Camilo Durán reduced the deficit early in the second half when he skipped away from Dan Burn and finished past Aaron Ramsdale, and Sven Botman then headed in from Kieran Trippier’s corner to restore a hefty aggregate cushion. Dan Burn was penalised for a handball in the 56th minute; Aaron Ramsdale saved Joni Montiel’s spot-kick but Elvin Cafarguliyev reacted quickest to score from the rebound, completing the 3-2 scoreline on the night.
Newcastle Vs Qarabag Fk: rotation, debuts and individual moments
Howe named a changed side after the club’s recent 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, handing Alex Murphy a full debut and first Champions League start at left-back. Nick Woltemade started in an attacking midfield role behind William Osula, Anthony Gordon began on the bench, and Sven Botman was withdrawn soon after his headed goal as part of a triple substitution. Late on, teenage full-back Leo Shahar also made his Newcastle debut.
Manager and player reactions from St James’ Park
Eddie Howe described reaching the last 16 as “a massive achievement” and said “we did the majority of the work in the away game, ” adding that whoever they draw next will be a tough tie. Alex Murphy has shared his reaction to making his Champions League debut after starting at left-back. The visitors’ coach had urged caution after the heavy first-leg defeat; Qarabağ arrived in the north-east late the night before, were due to board a six-hour flight straight home after the match and faced a four-hour time difference.
Other play-offs and the immediate horizon
The same set of play-offs produced Inter 1-2 Bodo (2-5 on aggregate) — Bodo scoring through Hauge and Evjen with Bastoni replying — while Bayer Leverkusen drew 0-0 with Olympiacos to win 2-0 on aggregate and will face Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last 16. Atletico Madrid beat Club Brugge to set up a tie with either Liverpool or Spurs. Coverage of Champions League play-off second-leg ties resumes at 1: 30 p. m. ET on Wednesday, when four more ties are scheduled to follow the conclusion of this round.
Newcastle’s 3-2 victory completed a 9-3 aggregate progression to the last 16, with concrete moments — Tonali’s early goal, Joelinton’s volley, Durán’s reply, Botman’s header and Cafarguliyev’s rebound — defining a night that combined rotation, debuts and late drama.
