Newcastle United's Champions League campaign came to a crushing end at the Camp Nou, where they were beaten 7-2 by Barcelona in the second leg of their last-16 tie. The Magpies had drawn 1-1 in the first leg at St James' Park, but a second-half collapse saw their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time shattered.
The first half was a frenetic affair, with Anthony Elanga twice cancelling out goals from Raphinha and Marc Bernal to keep Newcastle level. However, on the stroke of half-time, referee Slavko Vinčić awarded Barcelona a penalty after Kieran Trippier was judged to have fouled Raphinha. Lamine Yamal converted the spot-kick to give the hosts a 3-2 lead at the break.
Barcelona took control in the second half, with Fermin Lopez, Robert Lewandowski (two), and a second from Raphinha adding to Newcastle's misery. The 7-2 defeat was a brutal reminder of the level required in the knockout stages, as Eddie Howe's side were torn apart after the interval.
The penalty decision was a bitter pill for Newcastle, but their performance in the first half showed promise. Elanga, who scored twice, was a constant threat against Barcelona's high line and became only the second English club player to score a brace at the Camp Nou in the Champions League, after Dwight Yorke in 1998.
