Barcelona thrash Newcastle 7-2 to reach Champions League quarter-finals with an 8-3 aggregate win after a dominant second half display.
Barcelona delivered a ruthless attacking display to dismantle Newcastle United 7-2 and book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Spanish giants sealed an emphatic 8-3 aggregate victory after a thrilling but one-sided second half. It was a night full of drama, quality, and costly mistakes at the Spotify Camp Nou, where Barcelona’s firepower ultimately proved too much.
Barcelona struck early and never looked back. Raphinha opened the scoring in the sixth minute after a slick move involving Fermín López. However, Newcastle responded quickly through Anthony Elanga, who finished from close range after a low cross.
The hosts regained the lead in the 18th minute when Marc Bernal reacted quickest to a set-piece situation. Yet Newcastle refused to fold, as Elanga struck again in the 28th minute to make it 2-2 in a lively first half.
The game remained finely balanced until stoppage time. A VAR review awarded Barcelona a penalty after a foul on Raphinha. Lamine Yamal stepped up and calmly converted to give his side a 3-2 lead at the break.
The second half told a very different story. Barcelona raised their tempo and quickly took complete control of the tie. Just minutes after the restart, López finished a well-timed run to extend the lead. Robert Lewandowski then took center stage. The veteran striker scored twice in quick succession, first with a header from a corner and then with a composed finish from a through ball. Those goals effectively ended Newcastle’s resistance.
Raphinha capped a sensational performance by adding his second goal in the 72nd minute. The Brazilian capitalized on a defensive error to complete the scoring and seal a dominant victory.
Raphinha was the standout performer, contributing two goals, two assists, and winning a penalty. His influence was felt throughout the match, especially in the second half. Lewandowski’s clinical finishing also proved decisive, while López impressed with both a goal and an assist. Yamal showed maturity beyond his years, converting the crucial penalty and providing a key assist.
For Newcastle, Elanga was the bright spark with two well-taken goals. However, defensive lapses and errors proved costly, particularly after the break.
Barcelona dominated key metrics, highlighting their superiority. They registered 18 shots with 13 on target, compared to Newcastle’s eight shots and five on target. Possession was also firmly in Barcelona’s favor at nearly 63 percent.
The hosts completed almost double the number of passes and created more chances, underlining their control of the game. Barca produced a 4.29xG while Newcastle posted a 1.52xG. Newcastle’s defensive struggles were evident, especially during the second-half collapse.
Barcelona advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Atletico Madrid. They return to domestic action against Rayo Vallecano on March 22.
Newcastle, meanwhile, shift focus back to the Premier League. They face Sunderland in a crucial Tyne-Wear derby, aiming to bounce back from this heavy defeat.
