Newcastle United striker Anthony Gordon has made history by becoming only the second player to net four times in the first half of a UEFA Champions League match and the first to accomplish this feat during the knockout stage.
The English forward’s remarkable achievement propelled the Magpies to a dominant 6-1 victory against Azerbaijan’s FK Qarabag in the initial leg of their playoff encounter.
Gordon’s hat trick within 33 minutes is now the fastest by an Englishman in Champions League history, bringing his competition total to 10 goals.
He is only the third player from Newcastle to score a hat trick in the Champions League and the first in the knockout rounds.
“Records are nice, but football is about the team,” Gordon stated to UEFA.com. “Individual achievements only matter if the team achieves success, and that was the main focus tonight.”
“I’m very proud, not just of myself, but of everyone involved. It’s never easy coming here, so I’m thrilled for the entire team.”
Gordon opened the scoring just three minutes into the match before Malick Thiaw doubled the lead for the Premier League side five minutes later. After converting a penalty in the 32nd minute, Gordon rounded the opposing goalkeeper to secure his hat trick — the first of his professional career — just a minute later.
He capped off a historic first half by scoring another penalty in stoppage time.
Among English players in the Champions League, only Harry Kane (11) has netted more goals in a season than Gordon.
The 24-year-old has already shattered Newcastle legend Alan Shearer’s previous record of six goals in a single Champions League season.
“He was exceptional in that first half,” remarked Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “He initiated the press, and many of his goals came from his efforts off the ball.”
“I was particularly pleased with his first goal as it was a crucial moment. It was a superb finish. He could have scored more, but it was a fantastic performance overall.”
Howe addressed an apparent half-time disagreement with captain Kieran Trippier after Gordon scored his fourth from the penalty spot, noting that teammate Nick Woltemade had also offered to take the kick.
“Anthony naturally wanted to take the second penalty, and I understand there can be debates over that when there are two in one match,” Howe explained. “But he executed both penalties beautifully, and I’m pleased with that. Kieran is always trying to benefit the team, so I view it as a positive discussion rather than a negative one.”
Despite his efforts, Gordon did not add to his tally in the second half, while Elvin Cafarquliyev pulled one back for Qarabag, who have been one of this season’s surprise teams after qualifying for the playoffs.
However, Jacob Murphy‘s deflected strike rounded out the scoring, as Newcastle netted six goals in a European match for the first time in their 149-match history.
Howe’s team will host Qarabag at St. James’ Park next Tuesday, well on their way to a last-16 clash with either Barcelona or Premier League rivals Chelsea.
ESPN Research, PA, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.