Newcastle Vs Qarabag Fk: Magpies into Champions League last 16 after 3-2 win at St James' Park
Newcastle United sealed progression to the Champions League last 16 with a 3-2 win at St James' Park, finishing the play-off 9-3 on aggregate in newcastle vs qarabag fk. The victory followed a 6-1 win in Azerbaijan six days earlier and sets up a two-legged tie against Barcelona or Chelsea.
Early flurry at St James' Park
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the third minute after Mateusz Kochalski could only parry William Osula's header into his path at the Leazes End; it was Tonali's first goal in the competition. Seconds later Harvey Barnes swung a cross across goal and Joelinton met it with a volley to make it 2-0 on the night and extend Newcastle's aggregate advantage.
Newcastle starters, debuts and team changes
Manager Eddie Howe made six changes to the side that had been narrowly beaten at Manchester City at the weekend. Alex Murphy started for his full Champions League debut, and late on teenage full-back Leo Shahar also made his Newcastle debut. Jacob Murphy, on his 31st birthday, was denied a chance after Nick Woltemade spun to set him up.
Second-half fightback and penalty drama
Early in the second half Camilo Durán ran away from Dan Burn and finished past Aaron Ramsdale to pull a goal back for Qarabağ, a strike that sent the travelling support wild after their roughly 2, 500-mile journey. Sven Botman restored a two-goal margin when he headed Kieran Trippier's right-wing corner beyond Kochalski, but Botman was substituted almost immediately as part of a triple change.
Shortly after Botman's exit Dan Burn was penalised for a handball in the 56th minute. Aaron Ramsdale saved the spot-kick taken by Joni Montiel, but Elvin Cafarguliyev reacted quickest to score from the rebound and make it 3-2. Ramsdale also produced an acrobatic tip to push a Durán effort over the bar, and he made a string of other key interventions as Newcastle held on.
Other match incidents and goalkeeper moments
Elvin Cafarguliyev had earlier forced a save from Ramsdale in the first half, and Abdellah Zoubir later forced a brilliant stop from the Newcastle keeper. Kochalski denied Harvey Barnes twice, once after Kevin Medina lost possession and then by holding a low strike from the winger. Alex Murphy later shared his reaction to making his Champions League debut during Newcastle's win at St. James' Park.
Across the play-offs: Bodo stun Inter; Leverkusen through
Across the same round Inter lost 1-2 to Bodo, leaving the tie 2-5 on aggregate after Hauge put the visitors in front and Evjen doubled the lead before Bastoni pulled one back. Bayer Leverkusen drew 0-0 with Olympiacos to win the tie 2-0 on aggregate and will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last 16. Atletico Madrid beat Club Brugge to set up a tie with either Liverpool or Spurs.
Live coverage note and immediate aftermath
A separate live blog was unavailable with the message: "Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later. " Ciaran Kelly, reporter at St James' Park, described Newcastle as having cruised into the last 16 while also noting Qarabağ provided a spirited display after the early two-goal deficit.
Newcastle leave St James' Park with a 3-2 victory on the night and a 9-3 aggregate score, their fourth win in five matches across all competitions. Eddie Howe called the progression a "massive achievement, " said there was "a lot to reflect and improve on, " and added that he believed the team could "compete with anybody" in the next round. The Magpies now head into a two-legged last-16 tie against Barcelona or Chelsea.
