Newcastle Vs Qarabag Fk — Magpies reach 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, taking the tie 9-3 on aggregate and wrapping up progression after a 6-1 first-leg rout in Azerbaijan.
Newcastle Vs Qarabag Fk at St James' Park
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the third–fourth minute when Mateusz Kochalski could only parry William Osula's header and Tonali forced the ball over the line at the Leazes End for his first Champions League goal. Seconds later, Joelinton volleyed home from Harvey Barnes' centre to put Newcastle 2-0 up on the night.
Qarabag fightback and key moments
Camilo Durán pulled one back early in the second half after skipping away from Dan Burn and finishing past Aaron Ramsdale, giving the travelling support a moment to remember after a mammoth 2, 500-mile journey. Sven Botman quickly restored Newcastle's seven-goal aggregate lead when he headed Kieran Trippier's right-wing corner beyond Kochalski.
Shortly after, Dan Burn was penalised for a handball in the 56th minute. Aaron Ramsdale saved Marko Jankovic's spot-kick, but Elvin Cafarguliyev reacted fastest to gobble up the rebound and make it 3-2 on the night.
Debuts, changes and fine saves
Eddie Howe made six changes to the side that had been narrowly beaten at Manchester City at the weekend. Alex Murphy made his full debut and his first Champions League outing, and teenage full-back Leo Shahar also made a late Newcastle debut. Joelinton tested Kochalski in the 17th minute, and Cafarguliyev forced a good save from Ramsdale in the 30th minute as Ramsdale made an acrobatic intervention to tip Durán's shot over the bar.
Nick Woltemade spun and fed Jacob Murphy, who marked his 31st birthday with a drilled effort that went wide. Botman was withdrawn almost immediately after his headed goal as part of a triple substitution.
Across the play-offs: Inter, Bodo, Atletico and Leverkusen
Elsewhere in the play-off second legs, Inter lost 1-2 to Bodo (2-5 on aggregate) — Hauge put the visitors in front and Evjen doubled the lead before Bastoni pulled one back. Atletico Madrid beat Club Brugge to set up a tie with either Liverpool or Spurs. Bayer Leverkusen drew 0-0 with Olympiacos (2-0 on aggregate) and will face Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last 16.
How the match was followed and what’s next
Use 'watch & listen' tab for live coverage. A related live blog was unavailable with the message: "Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later. " The live page noted it will return at 18: 30 GMT (1: 30 p. m. ET) on Wednesday for four more play-off second-leg ties. "Thanks as always for joining us and for your comments. "
Howe said it was "a massive achievement" to reach the last 16 and warned there is "a lot to reflect and improve on" after going 2-0 up so early. Newcastle have won four of their last five matches in all competitions and now have a two-legged tie against Barcelona or Chelsea in store.
