Newcastle Vs Qarabag Fk: Magpies into Champions League last 16 after 3-2 win (9-3 agg)
newcastle vs qarabag fk finished 3-2 on the night and 9-3 on aggregate as Newcastle United eased into the Champions League last 16 at St. James' Park, completing a two-legged play-off victory that followed a 6-1 win in Azerbaijan.
Newcastle Vs Qarabag Fk
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the third minute after Mateusz Kochalski could only parry William Osula's header, allowing Tonali to force the ball over the line at the Leazes End for his first ever Champions League goal. Seconds later Harvey Barnes' cross found Joelinton, who volleyed home to make it 2-0 and put Newcastle firmly in control on the night and 8-1 up on aggregate at that stage.
Durán, Botman and the turning points
Qarabağ rallied after the break when Camilo Durán raced through Dan Burn and finished past Aaron Ramsdale to pull one back early in the second half. Newcastle restored a clear margin when Sven Botman headed Kieran Trippier's right-wing corner beyond Kochalski to make it 3-1; Botman was then taken off almost immediately as part of a triple substitution.
The visitors earned a penalty when Dan Burn was penalised for handball in the 56th minute. Ramsdale saved Joni Montiel's spot-kick, but Elvin Cafarguliyev reacted fastest to tuck in the rebound and make it 3-2 on the night.
Key saves, near-misses and individual moments
Aaron Ramsdale produced several notable interventions: he tipped a Camilo Durán effort over the bar in the first half and kept out the penalty in the second. Newcastle had other late chances — Joelinton was denied again after a 17th-minute effort saved by Kochalski, and Nick Woltemade's neat turn set up Jacob Murphy, who on his 31st birthday drilled wide.
Qarabağ goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski also made a string of stops, including two saves from Harvey Barnes after a turnover by skipper Kevin Medina, and Abdellah Zoubir forced a brilliant save from Ramsdale later in the match.
Debuts, selections and reactions at St. James' Park
Howe made six changes to the side, handing a full Champions League debut to Alex Murphy, who later shared his reaction after the match. There was also a late Newcastle debut for teenage full-back Leo Shahar. Eddie Howe described progression as "a massive achievement" and noted the team had done the bulk of the work in the 6-1 away win the previous week.
The match at St. James' Park was covered from pitchside by Ciaran Kelly, and fans travelling from Azerbaijan received approving moments when Qarabağ threatened — notably when Durán scored early in the second half.
Other play-off results and the path ahead
Across the other play-offs, Inter lost 1-2 at home to Bodo/Glimt (2-5 on aggregate) after Hauge put the visitors ahead 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, and Bayer Leverkusen drew 0-0 with Olympiacos to progress 2-0 on aggregate and will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich.
What comes next
Newcastle's victory completes a 9-3 aggregate win and sends them into the Champions League last 16, where they will face Barcelona or Chelsea over two legs. The live coverage team will return for more play-off second-leg ties at 18: 30 GMT on Wednesday for four further matches.
