Newcastle United announced themselves on the European stage in emphatic style, sweeping past Belgian champions RSC Anderlecht with a dominant 4-0 win. The result not only marked their first league phase victory in this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) but also their first-ever away success in the competition under Eddie Howe.
For Kenyan football fans who’ve been closely following the Magpies’ resurgence, this was a statement performance that proved Newcastle can mix it with Europe’s best.
Early Scare, Ruthless Response
The match began nervously for the English side, with Royale Union nearly striking first through Kevin RodrÃguez’s header, which narrowly missed the target. That moment proved to be the wake-up call Newcastle needed.
Soon after, pressure from the visitors paid off. An Anthony Elanga delivery caused chaos in the box, leading to a neat volley from Sandro Tonali. His effort was redirected by Nick Woltemade, who claimed his first-ever Champions League goal and opened the scoring for Newcastle.
Gordon’s Penalty Masterclass
Despite some spirited attempts from Royale Union’s Adem Zorgane, Nick Pope stood firm between the posts. But just before halftime, disaster struck for the hosts. Defender Fedde Leysen brought down Elanga clumsily in the area.
Anthony Gordon calmly converted the resulting penalty, sending goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen the wrong way. The winger wasn’t done yet. After the break, Leysen was at fault again—this time for handling the ball inside the box. Gordon stepped up once more and confidently slotted home his second penalty of the night, making it 3-0 to the Magpies.
Barnes Seals the Rout
With Royale Union throwing everything forward in search of a lifeline, Newcastle’s pace on the counter-attack proved deadly. Substitute Harvey Barnes latched onto a lightning-fast break and coolly finished to make it four.
By then, the Belgian champions had been broken, and Newcastle managed the game smartly, conserving energy ahead of their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
What This Means for Newcastle and Royale Union
For Eddie Howe’s men, this victory is a milestone. It demonstrates that they possess the grit, quality, and tactical discipline necessary to compete at the highest level in Europe. With attacking flair and defensive solidity, Newcastle are shaping up to be dark horses in the tournament.
For Royale Union, the heavy defeat is a setback, but their focus will shift quickly back to domestic matters. They face a crucial Belgian Pro League clash with Club Brugge, where they’ll aim to extend their lead at the top.
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Final Word
Newcastle’s 4-0 demolition of Royale Union SG was a performance that their fans will remember for years. For Kenyans watching from Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and beyond, it was a reminder of why football is called the beautiful game—unpredictable, thrilling, and always full of passion.
As the Champions League unfolds, one thing is clear: Newcastle are no longer outsiders—they are contenders.
