Newcastle United have booked their spot in the Champions League last 16 after a thoroughly convincing 9-3 aggregate triumph over Qarabag.
Eddie Howe’s men had already done the hard work with a stunning 6-1 victory in Azerbaijan last week, and they wasted no time adding to their tally at St James’ Park.
Sandro Tonali grabbed his first ever Champions League goal just four minutes in, pouncing after goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski parried William Osula’s header straight to him.
It was 2-0 moments later when Harvey Barnes whipped the ball across the box and Joelinton met it with a brilliant volley.
Joelinton scored a beauty of a volley for Newcastle against Qarabag
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Howe had rested several key players for this one, but his rotated squad picked up exactly where they left off in Baku.
The visitors deserved credit for refusing to crumble, though, unlike their capitulation in the first leg.
Camilo Duran gave the travelling fans something to cheer after the break, dancing past Dan Burn before slotting coolly beyond Aaron Ramsdale.
Those supporters had made a mammoth 2,500-mile journey, and that goal made it worthwhile.
Newcastle treated their fans to a thriller, especially those who made the trip to Azerbaijan
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Sven Botman quickly put Newcastle back in control, nodding home from Kieran Trippier’s corner to restore the seven-goal cushion on aggregate.
But Qarabag weren’t finished yet.
Burn handled inside the area, giving the Azerbaijani champions a penalty.
Ramsdale did brilliantly to save Marko Jankovic’s effort from the spot, but Elvin Cafarguliyev reacted fastest to bundle in the rebound.
It was a spirited showing from the underdogs, even if the result was never in doubt.
Jacob Murphy has told Chelsea and Barcelona they are ready for both
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Newcastle will discover their last 16 opponents when the draw takes place on Friday at 11:00 GMT, with either Barcelona or Chelsea awaiting them.
Winger Jacob Murphy spoke to Amazon Prime after the match and was in bullish mood about whoever comes next.
“It was job done. We had to come in today with a professional head. You could see that the tie wasn’t done until it was all over. We made hard work of it at times but we got off to a flying start and the damage was done then,” he said.
Asked whether he’d prefer Barcelona or Chelsea, Murphy didn’t hesitate: “Anyone. Honestly with this group of players we’ll take anyone on, especially with knockout football we back ourselves. Bring on whoever’s to come.”
