FC Barcelona are through to the quarter finals of the Champions League after dismantling Newcastle United 7–2 on Wednesday, sealing an emphatic 8–3 aggregate victory.

the game as it happened

What had been a tense, finely balanced last-16 tie exploded into life after the break, as the Catalans finally clicked into gear and tore their Premier League opponents apart.

After a slightly fortunate 1–1 draw at St James’ Park and a nervy first half in Barcelona, the floodgates opened in spectacular fashion. Once Barça found their rhythm, there was only ever going to be one outcome.

The only downside to the evening was the loss of Joan García to injury towards the end of the game. We will provide more precise details of the goalkeeper's condition as soon as they become available.

Two goals each

The first half was breathless. Barça twice took the lead, and Newcastle twice hit back, before a Lamine Yamal penalty on the stroke of half-time made it 3–2.

It all started brightly for the hosts. After just six minutes, Yamal sparked the move, Fermín López carried it forward, and Raphinha applied the finish.

But Newcastle responded on 15 minutes, Anthony Elanga punishing a lapse to level.

Barça hit back immediately, Marc Bernal finishing from close range, only for the visitors to strike again. Barnes pounced on an error and squared for Elanga to grab his second.

Ahead from the spot

The momentum had shifted. Barça’s early control faded, and Newcastle began to look the more dangerous side.

Then, right on the cusp of the break, came the turning point. After missing a clear chance moments earlier, Lamine Yamal stepped up from the spot, awarded after Trippier brought down Raphinha, and restored Barça’s lead.

At 3–2, the tie was still alive, and the tension palpable. But it wouldn’t last.

Flying away

Any fears of a nervy second half were swept aside within minutes of the restart. Fermín López made it four with a composed finish from Raphinha’s clever assist, and almost immediately Lewandowski rose at the far post to head in Barça’s fifth. Game over.

With the stadium roaring and Newcastle deflated, Barça surged forward at will. The football flowed, the confidence soared, and the goals kept coming.

Lamine turned provider with a sublime pass for Lewandowski’s second, before a defensive mix-up gifted Raphinha Barça’s seventh on 72 minutes.

By then, the Camp Nou crowd was losing count of the goals and just enjoying the flow.

From tension to total domination, Barça had delivered a second-half masterclass, and booked their place in the quarter-finals in unforgettable style. Playing like that, there is no reason to believe that Barça can't go all the way in this competition!

Força Barça