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How Anthony Gordon is eclipsing European football’s greatest strikers in the Champions League
As Anthony Gordon prepares to help Newcastle secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League , he is in elite company.
The England striker’s four-goal haul in last week’s 6-1 rout of Qarabag lifted him to second place in this season’s leading scorers in the Champions League.
Ahead of the Azerbaijani champions’ second-leg trip to St James' Park tonight, DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall analyses Gordon’s rich form in European football’s premier competition.
Shining on the highest stage
It is often said that every top player wants to test themselves in the Champions League and Gordon has done that and more this term. He has positively thrived.
Having joined Newcastle from Everton for £45million in January 2023, Gordon played in their Champions League during the 2023-24 campaign.
The Magpies, in the group stage for the first time since 2002-03, faced Paris St-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
They finished bottom of the group but, two seasons on, and Eddie Howe's side have fared better in the Champions League and so has Gordon.
Newcastle narrowly failed to finish in the top eight in the league phase but their 12th position in the table paired them in a two-legged play-off with Qarabag for a place in the last 16.
No Newcastle player has done more in the Champions League than Gordon to help Howe’s side reach the knockout stages.
Hitting the ground running
Gordon has faced criticism at times this season for his lack of goals in the Premier League - but his Champions League record has been outstanding.
He scored against Barcelona in Matchday 1, a 2-1 home defeat, and then notched a brace in the 4-0 victory at Union St Gilloise two weeks later.
The goals continued to flow in Europe as Gordon scored in a 3-0 home win over Benfica and a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen before Christmas.
Last month, he was at it again, finding the net in a 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park.
A 1-1 draw at holders PSG sent Newcastle into a play-off with Qarabag, where they won last week with Gordon scoring four times in a thumping 6-1 win.
The impressive haul came after he started in is favoured position as a central striker and took his tally in this season's Champions League to 10, plus two assists.
Where does Gordon rank alongside Europe’s top scorers?
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe tops this season’s Champions League goalscoring chart with 13.
But Gordon is in second place with 10, ahead of England captain Harry Kane, who has eight goals for Bayern Munich, while Manchester City goal-machine Erling Haaland is fourth with seven.
Gordon’s exploits underline his talent in a World Cup year when he will hope to shine for England this summer.
The Liverpudlian has proved he can cut it at the highest level and he will fancy adding to his tally when Qarabag arrive at St James’ Park this evening.
Full Champions League fixture list for knockout play-offs
Tuesday, 24 February
- Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge
- Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiakos
- Inter Milan vs Bodo/Glimt
- Newcastle United vs Qarabag
Wednesday, 25 February
- Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund
- Juventus vs Galatasaray
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Monaco
- Real Madrid vs Benfica
How to watch Champions League in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
