Newcastle Star Achieves Feat Messi and Ronaldo Never Did

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Newcastle United traveled to Azerbaijan on Wednesday to face Qarabag in the first leg of the Champions League playoff for a spot in the round of 16, and effectively sealed the tie in the first half. At the end of the first 45 minutes, the scoreboard read 0-5 in favor of the English side, with special prominence for Anthony Gordon, who scored four goals in that first half - a feat that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have ever achieved in Champions League history.

Why it matters

Gordon's performance highlights his growing talent and potential, as the 24-year-old continues to establish himself as a key player for Newcastle. This achievement also underscores the rareness of such a dominant first-half display in a high-profile European competition like the Champions League.

The details

The first player to score four goals in the first half of a Champions League match was Luiz Adriano, a Brazilian striker who did so for Shakhtar Donetsk against BATE Borisov in the 2014-15 season. Gordon, who trained with both Liverpool and Everton before joining Newcastle in January 2023 for 45 million euros, has been steadily improving and is now showcasing his abilities on the European stage.

• On February 20, 2026, Newcastle United faced Qarabag in the first leg of the Champions League playoff.
• By the end of the first half, Newcastle led Qarabag 5-0, with Anthony Gordon scoring 4 of those goals.

What’s next

Ronaldo's next match will take place on Saturday, Feb. 21, when Al-Nassr hosts Al-Hazem in Matchday 22 of the Saudi Pro League. Messi is not expected to have minutes for Inter Miami's season opener on Feb. 21, as he suffered a minor injury in his most recent preseason match.