Newcastle United confirmed their place in the Champions League last 16 with another triumph over Qarabag at St James’ Park, completing a resounding 9-3 aggregate success. The damage had largely been done in Azerbaijan a week earlier, where Eddie Howe’s side recorded a 6-1 victory to seize firm control of the tie.
Despite holding a commanding advantage, Howe rotated several important players for the return fixture. The Newcastle manager had stressed beforehand that maintaining momentum and confidence was essential, even with qualification all but secured.
The hosts wasted little time asserting themselves. Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock in the fourth minute after Mateusz Kochalski could only push William Osula’s header into his path, allowing the Italian to claim his first goal in the competition.
Moments later, the lead was doubled. Harvey Barnes fired the ball across the face of the goal, and Joelinton, left unmarked, struck an accomplished volley to put Newcastle firmly in command once more.
Qarabag responds, but deficit proves too great
Unlike the first leg, Qarabag refused to collapse after conceding early. The visitors regrouped and showed greater resilience as the contest progressed, earning respect for their determination.
Their reward arrived after the interval when Camilo Duran evaded Dan Burn and finished confidently beyond Aaron Ramsdale, sparking celebrations among the travelling supporters who had made the 2,500-mile trip.
Newcastle quickly restored their dominance as Sven Botman headed in from a Kieran Trippier corner, re-establishing a seven-goal cushion across the two matches. Yet Qarabag struck again after Burn handled inside the area. Ramsdale denied Marko Jankovic from the spot, but Elvin Cafarguliyev reacted first to convert the rebound.
The home side searched for further goals but ultimately settled for a comprehensive aggregate victory that sets up a last 16 encounter against either Barcelona or Chelsea.
Home support rallies behind Howe
Much had shifted in a short space of time. Earlier this month, Newcastle was jeered by some supporters following a 3-2 defeat to Brentford at St James’ Park, with Howe admitting he had not performed his duties “well enough.”
Since then, the team has responded impressively, collecting four wins from five matches. Before kickoff, fans in the Leazes End unveiled a tifo in honour of their head coach, reflecting the renewed optimism around the club.
Even with an early two-goal advantage, Howe demanded sharper work off the ball, while Trippier’s frustration was evident after the clean sheet disappeared. Nonetheless, Newcastle achieved a landmark by recording six victories in a single Champions League campaign for the first time.
They have advanced to the last 16 for only the second time in their history, having previously reached the second group stage in 2003. With a heavyweight test looming, belief among supporters continues to grow.
Proud exit for Gurbanov’s side
Qarabag manager Gurban Gurbanov had urged caution and discipline, switching to a five-man defence for the second leg. However, conceding twice inside the opening minutes left him shaking his head on the touchline.
Though briefly subjected to chants from the stands, his players regained composure and produced passages of controlled possession. Duran’s strike in particular earned appreciative applause from sections of the home crowd.
At the final whistle, Newcastle’s players shared handshakes and embraces with their opponents, acknowledging Qarabag’s efforts. The Azerbaijani champions had reached this phase for the first time after drawing with Chelsea and beating Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Copenhagen in the league stage.
Attention now turns back to domestic matters, where they aim to overturn a seven-point deficit to Sabah in the Azerbaijan Premier League to keep hopes alive of returning to Europe’s elite competition next season.