The path to Baku proved rewarding for Anthony Gordon, who showcased his talent against Qarabag, netting four goals in the first half. This performance established him as Newcastle United’s record goalscorer in the Champions League. Gordon’s impressive display included the fastest hat trick by an English player in this prestigious tournament, placing him alongside Luiz Adriano as one of only two players to score four times in a Champions League half.

Despite Newcastle’s limited history in the European Cup, Gordon’s achievements are significant. He became the record appearance maker for Newcastle, scoring ten goals in just his 15th match in the competition. Currently, he stands second in the golden boot race this season, trailing Kylian Mbappe and ahead of Harry Kane.

His contributions on the penalty spot reflect some defensive vulnerabilities from Qarabag, with Malick Thiaw also scoring for Newcastle. Gordon’s attacking prowess has made him a target for clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool, and he looks poised to improve his domestic form, aiming for more goals in the Premier League as well.

It’s a dream start for Newcastle in Azerbaijan as goals from Anthony Gordon and Malick Thiaw puts the away side 2-0 up in just eight minutes ⚫️⚪️ source — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2026.