Newcastle United bounced back in emphatic fashion after their opening defeat to Barcelona, crushing Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 away from home in the UEFA Champions League. Goals from Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon (x2), and Harvey Barnes gave the Magpies their first win of the group stage, marking a statement performance on European soil.
First Half: Newcastle in Control
Eddie Howe’s men wasted little time asserting themselves in Belgium. In the 17th minute, striker Nick Woltemade opened the scoring with a composed finish after clever build-up play, putting Newcastle 1-0 ahead.
Union SG attempted to respond through quick counters, but Newcastle’s defensive structure, led by Sven Botman and Fabian Schär, kept them quiet.
Just before halftime, Newcastle doubled their advantage. A foul inside the box handed the visitors a penalty, and Anthony Gordon calmly converted in the 43rd minute, making it 2-0 and giving the Magpies full control going into the break.
Second Half: Gordon at the Double, Barnes Finishes the Job
After the restart, Newcastle showed no signs of slowing down. In the 64th minute, Gordon struck again, latching onto a well-placed pass before firing home his second of the night to extend the lead to 3-0.
Substitute Harvey Barnes capped off the performance in the 81st minute, scoring a precise finish after breaking into the box. The goal sealed a 4-0 victory and highlighted Newcastle’s depth in attack.
Key Match Moments
- ⚽ 17’ – Woltemade opens the scoring (0-1)
- ⚽ 43’ – Gordon converts penalty (0-2)
- ⚽ 64’ – Gordon nets his brace (0-3)
- ⚽ 81’ – Barnes scores to complete the rout (0-4)
Tactical Analysis
Newcastle combined defensive solidity with clinical finishing, dominating both in possession and transition. Eddie Howe’s side pressed Union SG effectively, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on them with Gordon’s pace and Woltemade’s hold-up play.
Union SG struggled to cope with Newcastle’s intensity, and despite moments of promise, they failed to register a serious threat against Nick Pope’s goal.
What This Win Means
- Newcastle United: After a tough loss to Barcelona on matchday one, the Magpies have reasserted themselves in the group. This commanding win boosts confidence ahead of their next fixtures and demonstrates their ability to compete at the highest level in Europe.
- Union Saint-Gilloise: The Belgian side remain winless in the group stage and will need a quick turnaround to keep qualification hopes alive.
Player of the Match
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle): With two goals—including a composed penalty and a clinical second-half strike—Gordon was the standout performer, driving Newcastle’s attack with pace, directness, and finishing quality.
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