UCL Knockout Play-Off: Anthony Gordon Nets Four In Newcastle's First-Leg Rout Of Qarabag

Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 10:19 IST

Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy netted either side of a Gordon quadruple as Eddie Howe and Co. registered a 6-1 win on the road in the UCL knockout play-off round first-leg.

English forward Anthony Gordon scored four goals as Newcastle United overwhelmed Qarabag 6-1 in Azerbaijan during the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off round on Wednesday.

Gordon’s precise finish gave Newcastle a third-minute lead at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, followed by Malick Thiaw’s header for a 2-0 advantage just eight minutes in.

Former Everton winger Gordon then converted a penalty awarded for handball shortly after the half-hour mark and capitalised on poor defending a minute later to complete his first professional hat-trick.

He added another penalty for his fourth goal and Newcastle’s fifth in first-half stoppage time. Jacob Murphy scored the visitors’ sixth goal in the second half, after Elvin Jafarguliyev had managed to pull one back for Qarabag.

Next week’s return leg at St James’ Park should be a mere formality, with a last-16 tie awaiting against either Barcelona or Chelsea.

“It’s a tribute to the team today. We were really good in the first half. That’s as good as we have played in a long time," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said.

“I know the tie isn’t over but we are in a great position."

Elsewhere, Kasper Hogh scored one goal and assisted in two others as Bodo/Glimt continued their impressive debut UCL campaign with victory over Inter Milan. Kjetil Knutsen’s team extended their impressive run by defeating last season’s runners-up Inter, as Hog netted once and set the other two up in their 3-1 victory.

Meanwhile, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and Belgian outfit Club Brugge played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Belgium as Brugge managed to come back from being 2-0 and 3-2 down to secure a draw, keeping the tie evenly poised for next week’s second leg.

Bayer Leverkusen made significant progress towards the last 16 by defeating Olympiacos 2-0 in Greece with Czech striker Patrik Schick scoring twice within four minutes around the hour mark in Piraeus.

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