A European away match always carries a certain kind of pressure. The journey to a unfamiliar stadium, the passionate home crowd, and the need to adapt quickly to a different style of play.
For Newcastle United, their trip to face Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium was about more than just securing their first points in the Champions League this season. It was about overcoming history.
The memory of a opening day defeat to Barcelona was still fresh, and so was a much longer, more frustrating record: the team had not won a competitive match on European soil in over a decade.
Their last victory away from home in any European competition was all the way back in 2013, a narrow win secured by a Shola Ameobi penalty.
That long wait for an away win made the start of this match in Brussels so important. Newcastle needed to set a positive tone early, and that is exactly what they did.
The opening goal came from a moment of both skill and fortune. After a cross into the box was only partially cleared, the ball fell to Sandro Tonali on the edge of the penalty area.
The Italian midfielder struck the ball cleanly, and his shot took a decisive deflection off the chest of striker Nick Woltemade, completely wrong-footing the goalkeeper and flying into the net.
After a review, the goal was officially credited to Woltemade, marking his third goal for the club and a historic personal milestone, as he became just the fourth Newcastle player to score on his first Champions League start.
That early lead gave Newcastle a foundation of confidence. They began to control the flow of the game, moving the ball with purpose and looking the more dangerous team.
Just before the half-time break, they were given a golden opportunity to double their advantage. Winger Anthony Elanga, who had been a lively presence, used his pace to dribble into the box and was clearly tripped, resulting in a penalty.
Anthony Gordon, showing immense composure, stepped up and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, slotting the ball into the corner of the net. This was Gordon’s second goal in as many Champions League games this season, a fantastic achievement that placed him in very elite company at the club.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how the individual players contributed to this crucial and historic victory.
Nick Pope (Goalkeeper) – 6
Pope had a relatively quiet evening, which is a credit to the defense in front of him. When he was called upon, he was reliable, making a good save in the first half to push a dangerous shot wide and preserve the clean sheet.
Kieran Trippier (Right-Back) – 6
The experienced defender was solid and dependable. He provided his usual attacking threat from the flank, putting a excellent volleyed cross into the box that unfortunately wasn’t converted. He was rarely troubled defensively.
Malick Thiaw (Centre-Back) – 7
Thiaw put in a very impressive performance. He was strong in the tackle, read the game intelligently, and handled the physical presence of the Union attackers with ease. He looked composed and assured throughout the match.
Sven Botman (Centre-Back) – 6
Partnering Thiaw, Botman was generally solid. He had one or two moments where his headed clearances were not as clean as he would have liked, but he formed a strong defensive wall that was difficult for the home team to break down.
Dan Burn (Left-Back) – 6
Deployed once again in the left-back role, Burn was tidy in possession and did his job effectively. He supported the attack when he could and provided a reliable defensive presence on his side of the pitch.
Sandro Tonali (Midfielder) – 8
Tonali was the engine of the team and a strong candidate for man of the match. It was his driven shot that led to the opening goal, and his energy and intensity in the center of the park set the tone for Newcastle’s dominance. He was everywhere, breaking up play and initiating attacks.
Bruno Guimaraes (Midfielder) – 7
The Brazilian showcased his class with a typically busy performance. He won the ball back on several important occasions and displayed his wonderful range of passing, acting as the creative link between the defense and the attack.
Joelinton (Midfielder) – 6
It was a quieter night for Joelinton compared to his midfield partners. He worked hard as always but was not as influential on the ball. He did have one good chance from a header that went wide, and he picked up a yellow card for a late challenge.
Anthony Elanga (Winger) – 6
Elanga was a constant threat with his pace on the right wing. While his final ball was sometimes lacking, his direct running was a real problem for the Union defense. It was his dribble that won the first-half penalty, and his earlier cross led to the scramble for the opening goal.
Anthony Gordon (Winger) – 6
Gordon may not have been at his explosive best in open play, but he delivered when it mattered most. His two coolly taken penalties were the definition of clinical finishing, and his confidence from the spot was a major factor in the victory.
Nick Woltemade (Striker) – 7
The German striker had a very effective game. Even beyond the fortunate deflection for his goal, he showed great intelligence by dropping deep to link up play, playing some lovely passes to his teammates. He is quickly becoming a very important player for the team.
This 4-0 win was a complete team performance. It was built on a solid defensive base, driven by a dominant midfield, and finished with clinical precision. For Eddie Howe and his players, it was a night that banished a long-standing ghost and announced their true arrival in this season’s Champions League. The three points were vital, but the confidence and belief gained from such a commanding away performance could be worth even more.
