Qarabag FK bowed out of the UEFA Champions League with pride despite a spirited 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park, as the Magpies cruised into the last 16 with a commanding 9-3 aggregate triumph.
The Azerbaijani champions, nicknamed the Horsemen, may have gone down fighting, but they ended their campaign with an unwanted record, conceding 30 goals, the most by any team in a single season since the competition’s rebranding in 1992/93.
With a 6-1 first-leg cushion already in hand, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe rotated heavily, handing 21-year-old Alex Murphy his first start among seven changes following the weekend league loss to Manchester City.
The hosts wasted no time asserting control. Sandro Tonali grabbed his maiden Champions League goal after Mateusz Kochalski denied William Osula’s initial header, before Harvey Barnes teed up Joelinton to smash home a second less than two minutes later.
Despite the early blitz, the contest lacked tension given the aggregate scoreline. Qarabag gradually found their rhythm, with Elvin Cafarguliyev testing Aaron Ramsdale at the near post midway through the first half.
Ramsdale was called upon again to tip Camilo Duran’s powerful effort over the bar before the interval.
Duran, however, would not be denied after the break. The Colombian forward raced past Dan Burn and drilled a low strike inside the near post to reduce the deficit.
Newcastle responded almost instantly, as Sven Botman powered in Kieran Trippier’s corner to restore their two-goal advantage and register his first Champions League goal.
Anthony Gordon’s introduction off the bench threatened further damage, the winger had scored four times in the first leg, but Qarabag struck again when Burn handled in the area.
Although Ramsdale saved Marko Jankovic’s penalty, Cafarguliyev reacted quickest to convert the rebound.
Both teams pushed for more in an entertaining finale that flirted with equalling the record for goals in a Champions League knockout tie.
In the end, Newcastle secured a fourth straight home victory in this season’s competition, matching their best-ever tally of six wins in a single Champions League campaign.
The Magpies now await a heavyweight last-16 showdown against either Barcelona or Chelsea, having secured their biggest aggregate triumph in a European knockout tie since 2004/05.
Qarabag, meanwhile, extended their difficult record against English opposition, with 10 defeats in 11 meetings.
