Newcastle completes the job to advance to last 16
Newcastle United cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League after edging a five-goal thriller with Qarabag, winning its play-off second-leg 3-2 at St. James' Park.
The damage had already been done in the first leg after Anthony Gordon's four-goal display in a 6-1 Newcastle success, and despite a closer contest here, the Magpies still emerged 9-3 victors on aggregate.
Eddie Howe's team needed just four minutes to open the scoring through Sandro Tonali, who netted from close range after Sven Botman's header was pushed into his path.
Newcastle doubled their advantage 80 seconds later, when a Harvey Barnes cross to the back post was volleyed home by Joelinton.
Qarabag did, however, pull one back five minutes into the second half, when Camilo Duran raced onto Joni Montiel's neat flick before finishing smartly at Aaron Ramsdale's near post.
Newcastle quickly restored their two-goal advantage, though, with Botman rising highest to power Kieran Trippier's corner into the net, but the visitors refused to back down.
Is was awarded a penalty in the 57th minute after Dan Burn handled the ball inside his area, and despite Marko Jankovic seeing his spot-kick saved by Ramsdale, Elvin Cafarquliyev was on hand to squeeze home the rebound.
Barnes then forced Mateusz Kochalski into a smart save before Musa Qurbanli kept Ramsdale on his toes at the other end, with the Magpies holding out to win the second leg.


































