By Frank Ulom
MARSEILLE (CONVERSEER) – Newcastle United missed a major chance to strengthen their path to the Champions League knockout stages after a costly second-half collapse handed Marseille a 2–1 victory on Tuesday night.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice in quick succession to overturn Harvey Barnes’ early opener, punishing a decisive error from goalkeeper Nick Pope and leaving Eddie Howe’s side facing a far tougher route to qualification.
Newcastle began with intensity and almost took the lead inside two minutes when Malick Thiaw’s powerful header was brilliantly cleared off the line by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. Their pressure soon told. Sandro Tonali timed his run perfectly on the right before cutting the ball across the box, and Barnes – in excellent form – finished low into the corner in the sixth minute.
While the opening spell belonged to Newcastle, Marseille gradually seized control. Roberto De Zerbi’s side forced Pope into several important stops as the home team dictated the tempo for the remainder of the first half.
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The match swung dramatically moments after the restart. Pope charged far outside his area attempting to clear a long ball, but Aubameyang beat him to it, nudged the ball forward and finished from a tight angle. Two minutes later, the former Arsenal striker struck again, rising to guide Timothy Weah’s cross high into the net as the Stade Vélodrome erupted.
The win marked Marseille’s first victory over English opposition in 12 attempts and further highlighted Newcastle’s ongoing struggles away from home.
Howe’s men now face a daunting run of fixtures against Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain as they attempt to secure their place in the knockout stages.
