Qarabağ FK bowed out of the UEFA Champions League with pride despite a spirited 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United FC in their knockout play-off second leg, as the Magpies progressed comfortably with a 9-3 aggregate victory.

Already holding a commanding 6-1 advantage from the first leg, Newcastle were effectively assured of their place in the last 16 before kick-off at St James’ Park. Manager Eddie Howe rotated heavily following the weekend’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City, handing a first start to 21-year-old defender Alex Murphy among seven changes.

The hosts wasted little time asserting their dominance. Having scored twice inside eight minutes in Baku, Newcastle struck even earlier this time, netting twice within the opening six minutes.

Sandro Tonali opened the scoring with his first Champions League goal, steering home after goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski had brilliantly denied William Osula’s header. Just 80 seconds later, Harvey Barnes delivered a pinpoint cross for Joelinton, who volleyed emphatically into the roof of the net.

With the tie effectively settled, the tempo dipped, allowing Qarabag to grow into the contest. First-leg scorer Elvin Cafarguliyev tested Aaron Ramsdale at the near post, while Jacob Murphy fired wide on his 31st birthday after a clever flick from Nick Woltemade.

Ramsdale was called upon again to tip over a fierce drive from Camilo Durán, but the Newcastle goalkeeper was beaten six minutes after the restart. Durán, Qarabag’s top scorer in this season’s competition, outpaced Dan Burn and fired low inside the near post to reduce the deficit on the night.

Newcastle responded almost immediately. Sven Botman rose highest to power home Kieran Trippier’s outswinging corner, restoring the two-goal cushion and scoring his maiden Champions League goal.

Qarabag refused to fold. After Burn handled inside the penalty area, Marko Janković saw his penalty saved by Ramsdale, but Cafarguliyev reacted quickest to convert the rebound and make it 3-2.

Both teams pushed for further goals in an entertaining finale that threatened to equal the record total of 13 goals in a Champions League knockout tie. Ultimately, Newcastle secured their fourth consecutive home win in the competition and matched their highest-ever tally of victories in a single Champions League campaign (six).

The Magpies now await a last-16 clash against either FC Barcelona or Chelsea FC, having won a two-legged European knockout tie by five or more goals for the first time since 2004/05.

For Qarabag, the defeat also saw them set an unwanted record — conceding 30 goals in a single Champions League campaign, the most since the competition was rebranded in 1992/93 — while extending their poor record against English opposition to 10 defeats in 11 meetings (D1).