Anthony Gordon delivered one of the most intriguing individual performances in recent Champions League history as Newcastle United ran riot in Azerbaijan.
Other shockwaves rippled across Europe with stunning results involving Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bodo/Glimt, Club Brugge, Bayer Leverkusen, and Olympiacos.
Gordon Scores FOUR as Newcastle Obliterate Qarabag
Anthony Gordon scored four goals ruthlessly as Newcastle United demolished Qarabag FK to seize total control of their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie.
Eddie Howe’s men produced their biggest-ever Champions League win at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, overwhelming the Azerbaijani champions with pace, power and precision.
Before the match, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe had laid down the challenge.
“We want to turn these moments into history and moments people talk about for a long time.”
His players did exactly that.
Record-Breaking Gordon Lights the Fuse Early
It took Gordon just two minutes to open the scoring, racing onto a perfectly weighted through ball from centre-back Dan Burn before finishing coolly past goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski.
Moments later, Newcastle struck again as Kieran Trippier delivered a teasing cross that was powered home by towering defender Malick Thiaw at the back post.
Stunned Qarabag head coach Gurban Gurbanov called his players over for urgent instructions—but the damage was only just beginning.
A Alan Shearer Record Broken
Newcastle were awarded their first penalty after Harvey Barnes saw his shot strike the arm of sliding defender Matheus Silva. After a VAR review, referee Espen Eskas pointed to the spot.
Gordon stepped up and smashed the ball home, despite Kochalski getting a touch.
Barely had Qarabag regrouped when Gordon struck again, capitalising on slack defending from Kevin Medina, rounding the goalkeeper and rolling in his third to make it 4–0.
Then came the fourth.
Kochalski brought Gordon down inside the area just before half-time. The England international again took responsibility, rifling another penalty into the net to complete a stunning first-half four-goal haul.
In doing so, Gordon overtook Alan Shearer to become Newcastle United’s all-time top scorer in the Champions League.
To their credit, Qarabag responded after the break, with defender Elvin Cafarquliyev pulling one back from a tight angle.
But Newcastle had the final say.
Substitute Jacob Murphy struck from distance, his effort taking a deflection on its way in to restore a five-goal cushion and effectively end the tie before the return leg at St James’ Park.
Despite conceding six, Kochalski still emerged with some credit, making several fine saves as Newcastle registered 22 shots, 14 on target, and 39 touches inside the opposition box.
With the tie virtually settled, Howe now has the luxury of rotation, though Gordon, who has now scored 10 Champions League goals this season, may not want to slow down.
What’s Next
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Newcastle face Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday (21 February, 20:00 GMT).
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Qarabag travel to face Neftci PFK before heading to Tyneside for the second leg.
Bodo/Glimt Overpower Inter Milan
The Champions League fairytale continued for Bodo/Glimt, who stunned Inter Milan to move within touching distance of the last 16.
Despite being in their off-season, Bodo dominated Inter in the second half. Goals from Sondre Fet, Jens Petter Hauge, and Kasper Waarts Hogh overturned Francesco Pio Esposito’s equaliser.
Inter, eight points clear at the top of Serie A and finalists in two of the last three Champions League campaigns, were made to look ordinary in the Arctic Circle.
Late Drama in Belgium as Club Brugge Stun Atletico
Club Brugge scored a dramatic 89th-minute equaliser to draw with Atletico Madrid in a pulsating contest.
Atletico had surged into a 2–0 half-time lead through Julian Alvarez and Ademola Lookman, but Brugge fought back via Raphael Onyedika and Nicolo Tresoldi.
An own goal by Joel Ordonez looked to have sealed it for Atletico before Greek winger Christos Tzolis fired home a sensational late equaliser.
The return leg in Madrid now promises fireworks.
Schick Strikes Twice as Leverkusen Win in Greece
In Greece, Bayer Leverkusen finally claimed a long-awaited away knockout win as Patrik Schick scored twice in three minutes to down Olympiacos.
Schick’s goals, one a composed finish, the other a thumping header from Alex Grimaldo’s corner, secured a vital first-leg advantage after Olympiacos had a goal ruled out following a VAR review.
UEFA Champions League Playoffs (1st Leg)
Tuesday Results
Benfica 1-0 Real Madrid
Monaco 2-3 Paris Saint-German
Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus
Dortmund 2-0 Atalanta
Wednesday Results
Qarabag FK 1-6 Newcastle
Olympiacos 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Bodø/Glimt 3-1 Inter Milan
Club Brugge 3-3 Atlético Madrid
