Newcastle vs Borussia Dortmund LIVE: Champions League result and reaction after Anthony Gordon hits bar
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund: Eddie Howe’s side hit the bar twice but suffered the first defeat of their Champions League return
Felix Nmecha dented Newcastle United’s Champions League charge as Borussia Dortmund kick-started their Group F campaign with a 1-0 victory on Tyneside.
The Germany midfielder’s 45th-minute strike clinched victory at a rain-soaked St James’ Park on a night when three more points for Eddie Howe’s men, who twice hit the crossbar late on, would have left them with one foot in the last-16.
They will now head into tough away games in Dortmund and against Paris Saint-Germain next month with serious work to do to extend their stay in the competition.
And they will possibly have to do it without midfielder Sandro Tonali, who was used as a second-half substitute amid speculation he could be handed a lengthy ban for alleged breaches of betting rules.
Memories of Newcastle’s 4-1 demolition of PSG earlier this month faded as last season’s Bundesliga runners-up produced an accomplished away display to remind them that the race for qualification from Group F has a long way to go.
Follow the reaction below plus get the latest odds and tips for Newcastle vs Borussia Dortmund right here:
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
81 mins: That triple change for Dortmund has seen Giovanni Reyna, Sébastien Haller and Niklas Süle come on for Donyell Malen, Niclas Füllkrug and Felix Nmecha.
Bruno Guimaraes gets himself put in the book for a wayward tackle as Dortmund sweep forward through Marius Wolf.
He carries the ball into the box and squares it. Reyna looks to shoot but loses the ball before Newcastle win a free kick after a foul from Haller.
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
78 mins: Matt Targett and Anthony Gordon are linking up nicely on the left side of the pitch for Newcastle but neither man can work the ball into the penalty area despite having teammates waiting for it.
Another no nonsense clearance from Dortmund takes place before the manager makes a triple change. Will the fresh legs help out the visitors?
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
75 mins: 15 minutes to play at St. James’ Park. Anthony Gordon is a livewire for Newcastle and is sprinting up and down the pitch trying to make something happen.
A square pass across towards Callum Wilson doesn’t find the target and Dortmund clear their lines.
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
72 mins: There is a feel to the game that if Newcastle can get one they’ll go on to score another. Borussia Dortmund are keeping them quiet for the moment though with the substitutes attempting to feel their way into the match.
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
69 mins: This is worrying for Newcastle. Jacob Murphy takes a heavy hit and stays on the ground holding his shoulder. Eddie Hpwe takes no chances and whips him off immediately.
Dan Burn also departs with Matt Targett introduced and Joe Willock makes his first appearance of the season to replace Murphy.
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
66 mins: Sandro Tonali and Jacob Murphy are introduced into the game by Eddie Howe to replace Joelinton and Sean Longstaff. Can they have enough of an impact to get Newcastle back into this match?
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
63 mins: Newcastle are starting to up the tempo and pressure on Dortmund. Joelinton fizzes a pass into the box and finds Wilson. He shoots with his first touch but the ball is deflected out for a corner kick.
The Bundesliga side defend it well.
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
60 mins: Marco Reus releases Donyell Malen on the right side of the pitch and an injection in pace from the Dortmund forward sees his bomb down the wing.
Fabian Schar knows he can’t keep up but manages to close the gap to the forward and prod the ball into the stands with a well timed tackle.
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
57 mins: Chance! Wilson has to score here.
Newcastle get the fans excited with a lovely move that Fabian Schar starts thanks to a fine tackle inside his own half. The Magpies burst up the pitch and give the all to Anthony Gordon who carries it into the box and pulls one back to Callum Wilson.
Wilson takes a touch then pokes his effort at goal only to be denied by Gregor Kobel.
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
54 mins: Callum Wilson receives the ball and spins towards goal. He’s leading the charge on his own and is slowly swarmed by yellow shirts.
Anthony Gordon sprints up the pitch to provide him with an option to the left but Wilson can’t thread the pass through the defenders and the attack breaks down.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies