Match Report: Newcastle United 1-1 FC Barcelona

Newcastle United played out a 1–1 draw with FC Barcelona at St James’ Park in the round of 16 first leg in the UEFA Champions League.

By Liam Rafferty

Newcastle United played well but left it late to score – in the 86th minute Harvey Barnes snuck a volley into the back of the net after a cross from Jacob Murphy in front of a celebratory Gallowgate Stand.

In true recent Newcastle United fashion, the lead didn’t last very long.

As the game looked dead and buried, ‘The Magpies’ invited unnecessary pressure and Malick Thiaw fouled Dani Olmo in the box - Lamine Yamal stepped up and equalised for the Catalan side.

'Glory this season'

After exiting the FA Cup with a 3–1 defeat to Manchester City, ‘The Geordies’ came into this fixture losing three of their last five games, and the UEFA Champions League represents their last shot at glory this season.

Sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League and out of both domestic cups, manager Eddie Howe’s side had played far better in Europe. - They are on the club’s longest-ever unbeaten streak in the Champions League (W3, D2), and they had recently thumped Qarabag 9–3 on aggregate in the knockout round play-offs.

‘The Magpies’ had faced Barcelona five times before, with their sole success coming in the first clash, when Faustino Asprilla inspired a famous 3–2 home win in September 1997.

3' - CHANCE! Joan Garcia just about dealt with Kieran Trippier's corner-kick before Newcastle built again. Jacob Ramsey surged into the area and 'Barca's' defence backed off, before he thudded a low shot that was blocked. After the resulting corner, Garcia then fumbled Sandro Tonali's tame 15-yard header, but Pau Cubarsi cleared off the line.

'Flew across'

17' – SAVE! Having been released down the right side once again, Anthony Elanga sprinted into space vacated by Barcelona's defence. He then steadied himself to tee up a low shot towards the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area, but Garcia flew across to brilliantly tip it away.

21' – CLOSE! Dan Burn almost scored an own-goal. When Raphinha delivered a devilish low cross from the left, Newcastle's towering centre-back stuck out a long leg and diverted the ball narrowly past the right-hand post.

27' – MISS! Again making the most of space afforded to him by Barcelona's high line, Elanga stood up an inviting cross from near the right byline. It picked out Will Osula at the back post, but the young striker couldn’t keep his close-range header down; it looped onto the top of the net.

66' – CHANCE! Robert Lewandowski shot just wide. Following Raphinha's teasing cross from the left, the Polish striker reached out his leg and steered a low shot just inches past the right-hand post.

69' – MISS! Hall slung over a brilliant ball from the left wing, but Murphy leaned back and volleyed high over the top from no more than 10 yards out. Totally unmarked, he surely had to hit the target from there.

74' – OFF THE POST! Following good work by Anthony Gordon, whose cutback was moved on swiftly by Murphy on the edge of the area, Barnes cracked a fierce shot off the woodwork. Joelinton then turned the rebound home, but it was clear the Brazilian midfielder was in an offside position. So close for Newcastle.

They will play out the second leg next Wednesday at the Spotify Camp Nou.