In an evening that should have been defined by pure celebration, Newcastle United’s dominant display in the Champions League play-offs was marred by an unexpected internal conflict. The Magpies delivered a masterclass in the first half against Qarabag, heading into the interval with a staggering 5-0 lead.
However, as the whistle blew, the focus shifted from the scoreboard to a heated confrontation between captain Kieran Trippier and the man of the hour, Anthony Gordon. Despite Gordon’s historic four-goal haul in the opening 45 minutes, the two teammates had to be physically separated as they headed toward the tunnel, casting a brief shadow over an otherwise flawless performance.
The tension reportedly began over a disagreement regarding penalty duties. Gordon, who was in the midst of a career-defining performance, had already converted one from the spot. When a second penalty was awarded, a debate broke out over who would take the strike.
Gordon eventually took it and scored, but the frustration between the winger and his veteran skipper clearly didn’t end there. As they walked off the pitch, the two were seen in an intense verbal exchange. Gordon was spotted wagging a finger at Trippier, an action the captain quickly returned.
The situation escalated enough that teammates Dan Burn and Anthony Elanga had to step in, with Elanga eventually pulling Gordon away to prevent the argument from getting out of hand. Joe Willock also stepped in to check on Trippier, who appeared visibly frustrated by the encounter.
Despite the strange mid-game clash, the night undeniably belonged to Anthony Gordon. The 24-year-old was in unstoppable form, securing a hat-trick in just 33 minutes. This achievement didn’t just help his team; it rewrote the record books. Gordon now holds the record for the fastest hat-trick by an English player in Champions League history.
While Mike Newell famously scored three goals in nine minutes for Blackburn in 1995, the timing of Gordon’s strikes within the match makes his feat the new benchmark for speed in the competition. By the time he added his fourth goal in first-half stoppage time, he became the only English player to ever score four goals in the first half of a Champions League match.
This incredible performance moved Gordon up to second place in the Champions League scoring charts this season. With 10 goals to his name, he sits just behind Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, who has 13. Interestingly, half of Gordon’s tally has come from the penalty spot, showing his reliability under pressure even if it causes a bit of friction with his teammates.
By scoring four in a single half, Gordon joined an elite group of players including Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo who have achieved similar feats. He also surpassed the legendary Alan Shearer’s record of seven Champions League goals for Newcastle, cementing his own legacy at St. James’ Park.
| Player | Goals vs Qarabag | Scoring Minute | Record Achieved |
| Anthony Gordon | 4 | 3′, 32′, 33′, 45+’ | Fastest English UCL Hat-trick |
| Malick Thiaw | 1 | 1st Half | Defensive contribution |
| Jacob Murphy | 1 | 2nd Half | Finalized 6-1 aggregate lead |
Fortunately for the fans and the coaching staff, the rift between the two stars appeared to be short-lived. The cameras captured a moment of reconciliation later in the game when Gordon was substituted for Jacob Murphy in the 68th minute. The pair shared a hug, suggesting that the heat of the moment had cooled.
Murphy went on to score a sixth goal, ensuring Newcastle would head into the second leg with a massive 6-1 aggregate lead. While the “bizarre” clash was a talking point, the sheer scale of the victory and Gordon’s individual brilliance remain the headline stories as the club moves one step closer to the Champions League proper.
