Anthony Gordon produced one of the most remarkable individual performances in Newcastle United’s European history, netting four goals in the first half as the Magpies dismantled Qarabag 6-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie in Baku on February 18, 2026.
Gordon Makes History in Baku in the Championships League.
The undisputed star of the night was Anthony Gordon who became the all-time leading scorer of Newcastle United in the Champions League and surpassed the legendary Alan Shearer by scoring four goals in the first half of the season.
His hat-trick was also said to be the quickest ever to be achieved by an Englishman at the knockout stage of the competition.
Newcastle went to Azerbaijan requiring a professional performance in order to guarantee their spot in the last 16. Professional was far too mild what followed.
By half-time, the referee had to blow the half-time whistle as the Magpies were already ahead 5-0 after a man-of-the-match performance that saw the Qarabag overwhelmed by a free-flowing attack.
The sole factual discussion point as the team went to the tunnel at halftime had nothing to do with the scoreline it was a heated argument amongst teammates.
Trippier and Gordon dispute over penalty -but soon laugh it off.
Newcastle was already winning 4-0 and Gordon already on a hat-trick, when a second penalty was awarded towards the end of the first half.
Captain Kieran Trippier is said to have requested the spot-kick be given to the German forward Nick Woltemade who had not scored a single goal so far. Gordon on the other hand is the appointed penalty taker of the club and he was not ready to step aside.
The altercation between the pair was visible with both teams heading to the tunnel, and teammates such as Dan Burn had to intervene in order to settle the situation. Gordon was captured waving a finger, Trippier in reply, and the situation was soon forgotten.
After the game, the two athletes spoke to TNT Sports about the incident in question – and made it light-hearted.
Trippier justified: It is in the blood. One of the boys had a hat-trick, and the others were just seeking an opportunity in the penalty, but it is Gordon who has to take them, he is the one who wants to get goals as well as the rest.
Gordon laughed with his captain and the two swept it away as completely as possible with Trippier even referring to Gordon as one of his closest teammates. Finally, Gordon changed the penalty to four — and the drama was little more than a footnote.
Woltemade Remains silent in the uproar.
The German striker Nick Woltemade who was allegedly the target of the penalty that led to the argument was extremely visible due to another completely different reason.
The recent German media insider news indicated that Woltemade has not been happy at Newcastle and his body language throughout the on-pitch exchange did not help to dispel that story.
He seemed to have little interest in the action taking place around him, but he has appeared in a historic team performance.
Qarabag at the Top of the World — “Lawbreakers,” Says McManaman.
It was virtually no resistance on the part of the opposition during the evening. Steve McManaman, who commentated alongside TNT Sports, did not spare in his evaluation, terming Qarabag as imposters in view of their previous performances in the tournament which saw them win Benfica and Copenhagen.
Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist was also outspoken. After only 15 minutes, when Newcastle is two goals and has already lost three clear cut opportunities, he spoke with a single word: It is appalling.
When Gordon was thirdly played in, only to be beaten by goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski, McCoist added: “It might be anything.
It was a fair warning.
Newcastle eventually won 6-1 and this was their greatest result in one European match in terms of margin in the clubs history.
What all this Means to Newcastle.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Qarabag 1–6 Newcastle |
| Gordon Goals | 4 (including penalty) |
| Half-Time Score | 0–5 |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League Play-Off, First Leg |
| Distance Travelled | 2,529 miles |
| Next Opponent (Last 16) | Barcelona or Chelsea |
However, the side led by Eddie Howe is now travelling back to Baku with one leg in the last 16 of the Champions League whereby they will either face Barcelona or Chelsea.
The second leg, in the presence of their own supporters, at St. James’ Park, ought to be a mere formality, although the Newcastle players might have hard work to find a more difficult task than that which they encountered on Tuesday night.
To Gordon the night was all his own. Four objectives, an all-time high and a small disagreement that only helped to prove him to be even more interested in scoring a goal, even in cases when his team is 4-0 ahead at the half-time.
