Gordon makes UCL history with 4 goals in 1st half
Feb 18, 2026, 02:44 PM ETNewcastle United forward Anthony Gordon has become just the second player to score four goals in the first half of a UEFA Champions League game and the first to do so in the knockout stage.The England international's record-breaking feat powered the Magpies into a commanding 6-1 win at Azerbaijan's FK Qarabag in the first leg of their playoff round clash.Gordon's 33-minute hat trick was the fastest by an Englishman in the Champions League, and his tally in the competition now stands at 10 goals.He is just the third Newcastle player to score a hat trick in the Champions League, and the first to do so in the knockout rounds."The records are nice, of course, but football is about the team," Gordon told UEFA.com. "Individual moments only matter if the team succeeds and tonight, that was the most important thing."I'm very proud, not just of myself, but of everyone involved. It's never easy to come here, so I'm really happy for the whole group."Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon scored four goals in the first half against Qarabag. Giorgi ARJEVANIDZE / AFP via Getty ImagesGordon opened the scoring in Baku in just the third minute before Malick Thiaw doubled the Premier League side's lead five minutes. After firing in a penalty in the 32nd minute, Gordon then rounded the opposition goalkeeper to complete his hat trick -- the first of his senior career -- barely a minute later.The former Everton man then capped a memorable first half for he and his team by converting another penalty in stoppage time.Among Englishman in the Champions League, only Harry Kane (11) has scored more goals in a season than Gordon.The 24-year-old has already smashed Newcastle legend Alan Shearer's previous record for most goals in a single Champions League season, which stood at six."He was really, really good in that first half," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said. "He started the press -- a number of his goals came from his attitude off the ball."I was really pleased with his first goal as well because that was a key moment. It was a really good finish. He could have had more, but a very good display."Howe also played down an apparent half-time disagreement with captain Kieran Trippier after he completed his quadruple from the penalty spot, with teammate Nick Woltemade also offering his services."Anthony naturally wanted to take the second penalty and I understand why there's a debate over it sometimes," Howe said. "That's not clear when there are two in one game. But he took both penalties superbly and I'm pleased with that."Kieran's only ever trying to help the team, so I think it's a positive situation rather than negative."Gordon failed to add to his tally in the second half, and Elvin Cafarquliyev pulled one back for Qarabag, which has been one of the surprise stories of this season's Champions League after qualifying for the playoffs.But Jacob Murphy's deflected strike completed the rout as Newcastle scored six goals in European competition for the first time in what was their 149th match.Howe's side will welcome Qarabag to St James' Park next Tuesday knowing they are all-but assured of a last-16 showdown with either Barcelona or Premier League rivals Chelsea.ESPN Research, PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
