Newcastle United put down a superb marker in their Champions League play-off first leg against Qarabag as they demolished the hosts 6-1 in Baku.
The goalscoring begin immediately with Dan Burn threading a pass through to Anthony Gordon who sent the Magpies ahead with a tick over two minutes on the clock.
Gordon was superb, he scored again from open play by pressing high and overturning the ball off Kevin Medina, and slotted home two penalties as Newcastle punished a lacklustre Qarabag in the opening 45 minutes.
Eddie Howe’s men led by five goals, Malick Thiaw had headed in the second to go with Gordon’s four, and they took their foot off the gas. In the second half Elvin Jafarguliyev pulled one back only for substitute Jacob Murphy to restore the five-goal cushion.
Newcastle take that advantage back to St. James’ Park next week but Howe will know his team have all but booked their place in the last-16.
Relive the action from Newcastle’s clash with Qarabag in our live blog below:
Qarabag vs Newcastle live
- Newcastle hammer Qarabag in first leg of Champions League play-off tie
- 55' GOAL! Jafarguliyev pulls one back for hosts (QAR 1-5 NEW)
- 45+1' GOAL! Gordon converts from the spot again (QAR 0-5 NEW)
- 33' GOAL! Gordon completes first half hat-trick for Newcastle (QAR 0-4 NEW)
- 32' GOAL! Gordon's penalty adds a third (QAR 0-3 NEW)
- 8' GOAL! Thiaw leaps and wins the header from a Trippier cross (QAR 0-2 NEW)
- 3' GOAL! Gordon's fine effort gives Newcastle early lead (QAR 0-1 NEW)
Full-time! Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle
19:38 , Mike Jones90+3 mins: Newcastle United put down a superb marker in their Champions League play-off first leg against Qarabag as they demolished the hosts 6-1 in Baku.
The goalscoring begin immediately with Dan Burn threading a pass through to Anthony Gordon who sent the Magpies ahead with a tick over two minutes on the clock.
Gordon was superb, he scored again from open play by pressing high and overturning the ball off Kevin Medina, and slotted home two penalties as Newcastle punished a lacklustre Qarabag in the opening 45 minutes.
Eddie Howe’s men led by five goals, Malick Thiaw had headed in the second to go with Gordon’s four, and they took their foot off the gas. In the second half Elvin Jafarguliyev pulled one back only for substitute Jacob Murphy to restore the five-goal cushion.
Newcastle take that advantage back to St. James’ Park next week but Howe will know his team have all but booked their place in the last-16.
Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle
19:32 , Mike Jones86 mins: Just a few minutes left to play in Baku. Will there be more goals or have Newcastle got enough?
Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle
19:29 , Mike Jones83 mins: Qarabag are looking to reduce the deficit again.
A few crosses, all dealt with by Newcastle, and a push higher up the pitch from the hosts shows their willingness to keep attacking.
Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle
19:25 , Mike Jones80 mins: 10 minutes to play in Baku.
Newcastle are already thinking about the flight home. They’ve done the business tonight and can look forward to a Champions League last-16 tie.
Of course, the play-off isn’t over yet with a second leg to come but Eddie Howe will be confident that his team won’t let their lead slip.
Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle
19:19 , Mike Jones75 mins: Brilliant from Newcastle tonight. They’ve played wonderfully and are still trying to make things happen.
Murphy crosses the ball in from the right but finds the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle (Jacob Murphy, 72')
19:18 , Mike JonesThe score doesn’t remain the same!
Jacob Murphy receives the ball out on the right wing. He brings it inside and decides to shoot.
The effort hits a defender on the head which deflects the ball away from the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Qarabag 1-5 Newcastle
19:16 , Mike Jones70 mins: 20 minutes to play.
Even if the scoreline remains the same it is a superb night for Newcastle and their four goal advantage won’t be squandered at St. James’ Park.
They’re running down the clock now, maintaining possession and keeping the hosts off the ball.
Qarabag 1-5 Newcastle
19:13 , Mike Jones67 mins: Joe Willock, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon are all taken off.
In there place come Will Osula, Jacob Murphy and Jacob Ramsey.
Not bad those changes.
Qarabag 1-5 Newcastle
19:10 , Mike Jones64 mins: The home fans are starting to enjoy themselves.
Qarabag’s possession has a purpose at last and they’re throwing themselves into tackles and are willing to get forward.
A strike from range hits a Newcastle defender and Qarabag win themselves a corner.
Qarabag 1-5 Newcastle
19:05 , Mike Jones61 mins: Hello!
Pope is drawn into a save as Montiel whacks an effort from the edge of the box his way.
Pope fumbles the first contact but manages to grasp onto the ball.
There’s a bit of fight left in Qarabag.
Qarabag 1-5 Newcastle
19:04 , Mike Jones58 mins: I may be wrong but I don’t think Newcastle concede that goal if they weren’t five to the good already.
Nick Pope hardly reacted as it was smashed his way thinking there might have been an offside.
Eddie Howe will stress for his players to switch back on.
GOAL! Qarabag 1-5 Newcastle (Elvin Jafarguliyev, 55')
19:02 , Mike JonesQarabag have a goal back!
Elvin Jafarguliyev receives the ball on the left wing and Newcastle switch off thinking he’s offside.
VAR confirms he isn’t and the left-back drives into the box and smashes it into the back of the net!
Qarabag 0-5 Newcastle
18:57 , Mike Jones51 mins: Already the tempo is a lot slower and Newcastle are playing within themselves.
Sandro Tonali looks for a threaded pass across to Elanga on the right wing.
Elanga touches the ball into the box for Willock but he’s beaten to it and commits a foul.
Qarabag 0-5 Newcastle
18:54 , Mike Jones48 mins: Things won’t continue as they did in the first half so expect fewer goals from Newcastle.
Anthony Elanga has taken a heavy fall onto the running track just off the pitch.
He receives a bit of treatment but is back on his feet and ready to go.
Second half! Qarabag 0-5 Newcastle
18:51 , Mike JonesNo changes from Eddie Howe at the half-time break.
That means the manager wants more goals and to completely get the tie over and done with.
Expect changes to come soon though.
HT Qarabag 0-5 Newcastle
18:42 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Qarabag 0-5 Newcastle
18:34 , Mike Jones45+3 mins: Qarabag have been woeful. Genuinely awful. Truly dreadful.
They haven’t been able to defend and Newcastle have taken them apart.
The tie is over inside of 45 minutes.
Newcastle have had 18 attempts already. 13 of them have been on target showing how well Mateusz Kochalski has played.
He’s made eight stops!
The teams head down the tunnel for the half-time break.
GOAL! Qarabag 0-5 Newcastle (Anthony Gordon, 45+1)
18:32 , Mike JonesA fourth for Gordon!
He sends the penalty to the opposite side this time but the result is the same.
Gordon has four goals before half-time.
Qarabag 0-4 Newcastle
18:31 , Mike Jones45 mins: Penalty to Newcastle!
A poor back pass sees Gordon nip in behind and get to the ball.
The goalkeeper comes out to try and beat him to it but arrives late and cleans out the man instead.
Gordon has the chance to score his fourth of the night.
Qarabag 0-4 Newcastle
18:27 , Mike Jones42 mins: Close!
A free kick is swung into the box by Anthony Elanga and he picks out Dan Burn.
Burn heads the ball towards goal but sends the effort straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Qarabag 0-4 Newcastle
18:24 , Mike Jones39 mins: This is like a training ground match for Newcastle.
There’s no pressure on the at all and this is supposed to be the Champions League.
It’s a perfect draw for a play-off tie and a huge confidence booster for Newcastle.
Qarabag 0-4 Newcastle
18:23 , Mike Jones36 mins: Qarabag lost 6-0 to Liverpool in their last match against an English team.
They may lose by a larger margin tonight.
Eddie Howe won’t be satisfied until the full-time whistle.
Four goals is enough already to send Newcastle into the last-16 but the greater their advantage the more options will be available to Howe next week.
GOAL! Qarabag 0-4 Newcastle (Anthony Gordon, 33')
18:20 , Mike JonesIt’s a first half hat-trick for Anthony Gordon!
Kevin Medina is caught in possession after the restart and Gordon dribbles into the box.
He takes it past the goalkeeper and slots it home with ease.
GOAL! Qarabag 0-3 Newcastle (Anthony Gordon, 32')
18:17 , Mike JonesNo problems.
A rocket from Anthony Gordon and Newcastle now have three!
Qarabag 0-2 Newcastle
18:17 , Mike Jones30 mins: Penalty to Newcastle!
There’s a handball that has blocked Barnes’ shot. It’s very harsh on Qarabag.
The defender leaps in front of the shot and puts out his head to brace himself from hitting the floor.
The ball strikes his hand but Silva, the defender, isn’t even looking at the shot.
It’s a harsh one indeed.
Qarabag 0-2 Newcastle
18:15 , Mike Jones29 mins: Close!
A short corner is rolled into the box to Barnes who shoots but has his effort blocked.
The ball comes to Willock for a similar effort but again the hosts throw bodies in front of the ball.
Newcastle want a penalty after the initial shot and the referee has been called over to the monitor...
Qarabag 0-2 Newcastle
18:14 , Mike Jones27 mins: Qarabag have had more of the ball which is the most surprising stat of the night.
Kochalski might be a massive part of that.
Twice in the space of a couple of minutes the goalkeeper comes off his line to deny Gordon who has darted into the box.
Newcastle could have scored five or six already.
Qarabag 0-2 Newcastle
18:10 , Mike Jones24 mins: Dani Bolt has been brought on for Qarabag as Bahlul Mustafazade picked up a knock and could not continue.
It means a rejig of the back line with Bolt slotting in at right back and Matheus Silva now playing centre back.
Qarabag 0-2 Newcastle
18:06 , Mike Jones21 mins: Another opportunity for Newcastle as they win a free kick over to the right side of the box.
Lewis Hall drills it in towards goal but Kockalski is there to punch it away.
Qarabag 0-2 Newcastle
18:03 , Mike Jones18 mins: Close!
Newcastle’s front line is too quick for Qarabag’s defenders who are reluctant to put in a tackle.
Woltemade releases Gordon who weaves into the box before slipping a pass across to Barnes who pulls his shot just wide of the nearest post.
Qarabag 0-2 Newcastle
18:00 , Mike Jones15 mins: A nice give-and-go between Trippier and Willock sees the right-back sprint into space before firing a cross into the box.
Medina is there to block the effort and clear but Newcastle are so aggressive and slick.
It feels like a matter of time before they score again.
Qarabag 0-2 Newcastle
17:58 , Mike Jones12 mins: Newcastle have gotten off to the perfect start.
Eddie Howe will now want them to press the advantage and put this tie to bed tonight.
Another two goals should do so but Howe will take as many as his players can give him.
GOAL! Qarabag 0-2 Newcastle (Malick Thiaw, 8')
17:55 , Mike JonesNewcastle’s corner is sent low to the edge of the box for Sandro Tonali.
He shoots but the ball is blocked and bounces back to Kieran Trippier who took the set piece.
Trippier hangs the ball up to the far post and Malick Thiaw leaps high before nodding the ball into the far side of the goal!
Qarabag 0-1 Newcastle
17:53 , Mike Jones7 mins: Qarabag’s corner is played short and then curled into the box and the waiting arms of Nick Pope.
Save!
Newcastle then work the ball rapidly to the other end of the pitch as Joe Willock makes a darting run through the centre.
He slips the ball to Barnes who shoots from the left side of the penalty area and forces a fine save out of Mateusz Kochalski.
Qarabag 0-1 Newcastle
17:52 , Mike Jones6 mins: Qarabag started their Champions League campaign brilliantly but fell away as the league phase came to a close.
Newcastle should win this game and they should do so easily.
The hosts burst forward on the left wing and Lewis Hall fails to deal with the cross into the box.
Leandro Andrade collects it and wins a corner.
GOAL! Qarabag 0-1 Newcastle (Anthony Gordon, 3')
17:49 , Mike JonesOh wow!
Dan Burn has the ball and decides to drive forward. He pokes a threaded pass into the box and sends Anthony Gordon chasing after it.
Gordon pulls off the shoulder of Kevin Medina, meets the ball and smokes a first time shot past the goalkeeper!
Qarabag 0-0 Newcastle
17:48 , Mike Jones2 mins: Hello!
Harvey Barnes has the first chance for Newcastle as he’s slipped the ball over on the left wing.
Barnes touches it into the box then squares a pass across the six yard box but into the hands of the goalkeeper.
I say pass, it could have been a shot but it was quite soft so I’m giving Barnes the benefit of the doubt.
Kick off! Qarabag 0-0 Newcastle
17:46 , Mike JonesEddie Howe has picked a strong team which is more than capable of impressing tonight and securing a win away from home.
Newcastle get the ball rolling in Azerbaijan. Can they secure a win tonight?
Let’s find out...
Qarabag vs Newcastle
17:40 , Mike JonesThis will be the first knockout stage game for both Qarabag and Newcastle in the Champions League; the only one of this year’s eight play-off round ties with both teams playing their first in the competition.
Excelling Englishman
17:35 , Mike JonesNewcastle have won four Champions League games in 2025-26.
If they win here, Eddie Howe will have the joint-most victories by an English manager in a single edition, along with five by Bobby Robson in 2002-03 (with Newcastle) and Graham Potter in 2022-23 (with Chelsea).
Dynamic duo
17:30 , Mike Jones76% of Newcastle’s goals in the Champions League this season have featured one of Anthony Gordon or Harvey Barnes as the scorer and/or assister (13/17).
Gordon has six goals and two assists, while Barnes has five goals and one assist (they combined for one goal v Benfica, netted by Barnes/assisted by Gordon).
Qarabag's man threat
17:25 , Mike JonesQarabag’s Camilo Durán has netted four goals in the Champions League this season; the only Colombian players to score more in a single edition are Jackson Martínez (7 in 2014-15 for Porto) and Radamel Falcao (5 in 2016-17 for Monaco).
A dip in form
17:20 , Mike JonesQarabag won their opening two games in the Champions League this season (3-2 v Benfica and 2-0 v Copenhagen), but have since only won of their last six (D1 L4).
Can they shock Newcastle tonight?
A long way to go
17:15 , Mike JonesNewcastle United's journey of 2,529 miles to Qarabag will be the longest ever distance travelled by an English team for a Champions League away match.
A poor track record
17:10 , Mike JonesQarabag are winless in four home games against English sides in Europe, losing and failing to score in three of those.
They did avoid defeat in the most recent one, however, drawing 2-2 with Chelsea on in the Champions League this season.
England vs Azerbaijan
17:00 , Mike JonesThis will be the 10th European meeting between sides from Azerbaijan and England (all involving Qarabag), with the English side unbeaten and winning on eight occasions.
Newcastle team to take on Qarabag
16:52 , Mike JonesNewcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Willock; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes; Woltemade
HOWAY THE LADS! ✊ pic.twitter.com/mC1M8rbiQD
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) February 18, 2026
Can Newcastle reach the last-16?
16:39 , Mike Jones"Of course, it means everything to us currently,” said Eddie Howe. “You look at the history of the club, this is a new opportunity for us - to get to the last 16 of this competition would be an incredible achievement, and we're trying to embrace it in that way.
"We're trying to look at the excitement and the possibility, rather than feel too much of the burden of the pressure of the occasion. We want to turn these moments and these games into history opportunities, into moments that people talk about for a long, long time.
"There's a real excitement with this game and the travel and the number of supporters we're bringing. It's all set to be a great occasion. Then, of course, we have to do our bit, we have to bring our A game, and we have to approach the game in the right way, in terms of our attitude. I know we will."
Uefa launches investigation after Vinicius Jr alleges racist abuse by Gianluca Prestianni
16:33 , Jamie BraidwoodUefa has launched an official investigation and has appointed an inspector to review the reports of Real Madrid’s match at Benfica in the Champions League, which was overshadowed by Vinicius Jr claiming he was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni during the second half.
Uefa launches investigation after Vinicius Jr alleges racist abuse
Newcastle will miss Guimaraes
16:27 , Mike JonesBruno Guimaraes has made 13 defensive line-breaking passes in the Champions League this season, at least twice as many as any other Newcastle player (6 by Sandro Tonali and Kieran Trippier).
Overall, Joshua Kimmich (16) and Joey Veerman (15) were the only players who made more than the Brazilian in this season’s league phase.
Howe not expecting similar scoreline as Liverpool game
16:21 , Mike JonesIn the final match of the league phase Qarabag were hammered 6-0 by Liverpool at Anfield and the reaction to that is to say Newcastle should be able to manage against them in a similar way.
"I've watched a lot of Qarabag in the build-up to this game and I watched both of (their games against Liverpool and Chelsea),” Howe said.
“The Liverpool scoreline was not reflective of the game at all - Qarabag made a really good, bright start to that game, had a number of chances, looked really threatening with the ball and showed that high technical level.
“They've got some dangerous players.”
Guimaraes doing rehab in Brazil
16:15 , Mike JonesAnother major update from Howe concerned the status of Bruno Guimaraes.
The injured Newcastle captain will be undergoing rehab with the Brazilian national team before returning to Newcastle as he moves closer to recovery.
Howe explained: "He spoke with our medical team, and we've been in consultation with the Brazilian national team so he's going to do the first part of his rehab with the Brazilian national team, and then come back to us for the last four weeks.
"I think it's a good mix for Bruno; in the initial stages he won't be able to do too much, he gets a sort of mental refresh while doing some good work, and then comes back to finish off his final part of his rehab."
The four teams that show why the Champions League play-offs work
16:09 , Richard JollyThe mistake may be to see it through the lens of the continental superpowers. The Champions League’s knockout phase play-offs could perhaps do with a punchier name than Uefa’s unwieldy tag. For those who assume their destination is much deeper into the tournament, it can seem a punishment, an unwanted extra couple of fixtures jammed into February.
Yet for many of its participants, it is an opportunity. Under the previous format, some were unaccustomed to Champions League football after Christmas.
The four teams that show why the Champions League play-offs work
Miley remains a doubt
16:03 , Mike JonesEddie Howe also provided an update on Lewis Miley and is impressed by the progress he is making.
"Lewy's doing alright. He's made good progress in the last few days. We're quite happy with his progress,” Howe revealed.
“He's had a number of scans; it came from a knock, which seems quite strange, but just a really bad dead leg gave some muscle disruption.
“So as soon as that muscle is healed, which we think it is now, we can push him on quite quickly."
Joelinton back in Newcastle squad
15:57 , Mike JonesNewcastle boss, Eddie Howe, provided an update on the midfielder who has been absent through injury.
Howe said: "Joelinton's back in the squad so that's a great boost for us. He's such an important player, such a big presence within our squad, such a real leader.
"He trained yesterday and trained well, and felt really good, so we're delighted with his return. No-one else from the missing list, I think, has travelled from the last game so we're missing quite a few players, quite a few real quality players as well. They're big misses for us, but we come here in good spirits from our last two games.
"We will play our strongest team in the sense that we will try and win the game. There'll be no thinking of the schedule ahead; this game, in isolation, is hugely important."
Champions League play-off ties
15:51 , Mike JonesTonight’s fixtures are the second bunch of play-off ties to be played in this round of the Champions League.
Here’s a list off all the ties:
Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund
Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos
Juventus vs Galatasaray
Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge
Paris Saint-Germain vs Monaco
Newcastle vs Qarabag
Real Madrid vs Benfica
Inter Milan vs Bodo/Glimt
Bruno Guimaraes set for months out in mammoth Newcastle injury blow
15:45 , Will CastleNewcastle are set to be without captain Bruno Guimaraes for two months due to injury as Eddie Howe’s woes continue to mount.
The Brazilian has been plagued by injury in recent times and hobbled off in the closing stages of Tuesday night's win against Tottenham with a hamstring problem, curtailing what was just his second appearance since recovering from a separate ankle issue.
Bruno Guimaraes set for months out in mammoth Newcastle injury blow
Early Newcastle team news
15:39 , Mike JonesNewcastle skipper Bruno Guimaraes will be absent for eight weeks in a huge blow for Howe, with the Brazilian joining Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth on the treatment table. Sven Botman, Lewis Miley and Yoane Wissa will be evaluated but a return to the starting line-up is doubtful for any of the three.
Predicted Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Ramsey, Tonali; Elanga, Willock, Gordon; Woltemade.
Qarabag's early team news
15:33 , Mike JonesQarabag remain without goalkeeper Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev due to a long-term injury, while Camilo Duran and Leandro Andrade will provide the firepower down the other end.
Predicted Qarabag XI: Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Bicalho, Jankovic; Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir; Duran.
How can I watch it?
15:27 , Mike JonesViewers in the UK can watch the game on TNT Sports 1 with coverage starting at 5pm. The match can also be streamed for subscribers on discovery+.
When is Qarabag vs Newcastle?
15:21 , Mike JonesQarabag’s clash with Newcastle kicks off at 5:45pm GMT on Wednesday 18 February at Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku.
Qarabag vs Newcastle
15:15 , Mike JonesNewcastle will look to put one foot in the Champions League last 16 as they face Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag in their knockout play-off.
The Magpies just missed out on the top eight after drawing with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on the final matchday - a steely result but one that wasn’t enough for either side.
Eddie Howe is coming under increased scrutiny for his side’s poor domestic form but will be hopeful Newcastle’s European adventure can continue beyond this round, with a favourable draw making them strong favourites to progress.
That said, the 2,500-mile-plus journey Newcastle have been required to take may just take its toll, giving Qarabag - who were thrashed 6-0 by Liverpool last time out - some hope of causing an upset.
Good afternoon!
14:48 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Newcastle face Qarabag in the play-off round.
The Magpies travel 2,500 miles to Baku in order to play this first leg and Eddie Howe’s side will be hoping to bring an advantage back to St. James’ Park next week.
With the time difference being greater this match is an earlier kick off of 5.45pm here in the UK and we’ll have all the updates and team news as Newcastle go in search of a last-16 spot.
