Anthony Gordon Makes Champions League History by Scoring Four Goals

JAKARTA - Newcastle United striker Anthony Gordon became the second player to score four goals in the first half of a Champions League match and the first to do so in the knockout phase.

The British player's record-breaking performance led the Magpies to a landslide 6-1 victory over FK Qarabag Azerbaijan in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs, Thursday, February 19, 2026, early morning WIB.

Gordon's hat-trick in 33 minutes was the fastest by an English player in the Champions League. His total goals in the tournament now stands at 10.

He is the third Newcastle United player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League and the first to do so in the knockout phase.

"The record is good, of course, but football is about the team. Individual moments are only important if the team succeeds."

"Tonight, that's all that matters. I'm so proud, not just of myself, but of everyone involved."

"It's never easy to come here. So, I'm very happy for the whole team," Gordon said on the UEFA website.

Gordon opened the scoring in Baku only in the third minute before Malick Thiaw doubled the English League team's lead five minutes later.

After scoring a penalty in the 32nd minute, Gordon then passed the opponent's goalkeeper to complete a hattrick - his first in his senior career - almost a minute later.

The former Everton player then closed the first half that was unforgettable for him and his team by scoring another penalty in injury time.

Among English players in the Champions League, only Harry Kane (11) has scored more goals in a season than Gordon.

The 24-year-old has broken the previous record held by Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer for the most goals in a Champions League season, which is six goals.

"He was really very good in the first half. He started the pressure - a number of his goals came from his attitude without the ball."

"I'm also very happy with his first goal because it was a key moment. It was a very good finish. He could have scored more goals, but his performance was very good," said Newcastle United Manager Eddie Howe.

Meanwhile, Howe also defused a seemingly heated first-half altercation between Gordon and captain Kieran Trippier after completing a quadruple from the penalty spot.

"Anthony naturally wants to take the second penalty. I understand why sometimes there is a debate about it."

"It's not clear when there are two goals in one game. However, he executed both penalties very well. I'm happy with that."

"Kieran always tries to help the team. So, I think this is a positive situation rather than negative," said Howe.

Gordon failed to add to his tally in the second half. Elvin Cafarquliyev reduced the deficit for Qarabag, who have been one of the surprise stories of this season's Champions League after qualifying for the play-offs.

However, Jacob Murphy's shot hitting the opponent's player completed Newcastle United's landslide victory, scoring six goals in the European tournament for the first time in the 149th match.

Howe's side host Qarabag at St James' Park next Wednesday knowing they will almost certainly face Barcelona or English rivals Chelsea in the last 16.