Toon in the Champions League – Bayer Leverkusen away

From Geneva to Cologne via Munich…

The Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United (UEFA Champions League match, 10 Dec 2025) was a dramatic 2–2 draw played at the BayArena in Leverkusen during the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. It was memorable mainly because Newcastle thought they had won it before conceding a very late equaliser. 

Final score

• Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2 – 2 Newcastle United  

Scorers

• 13’ – Own goal by Bruno Guimarães (Leverkusen lead 1–0)
• 51’ – Anthony Gordon (penalty) for Newcastle
• 74’ – Lewis Miley header for Newcastle
• 88’ – Álex Grimaldo equaliser for Leverkusen  

How the game went

First half

• Leverkusen started strongly and took the lead after about 13 minutes when a corner led to a Bruno Guimarães own goal, putting Newcastle behind early.  
• The German side controlled much of the first half, with Newcastle struggling to create clear chances before the break.

Second half

• Newcastle improved dramatically after halftime.
• Anthony Gordon equalised from the penalty spot in the 51st minute after pressure on the Leverkusen defence.  
• The momentum swung Newcastle’s way, and Lewis Miley headed them into the lead in the 74th minute from a Gordon cross.  
• Newcastle also hit the woodwork and had several chances to seal the match.  

Late drama

• With Newcastle seemingly heading for a big away win, Leverkusen struck back.
• In the 88th minute, Álex Grimaldo finished a flowing move to make it 2–2, denying Newcastle victory right at the end.  

Atmosphere

• The match was played in front of about 30,000 fans at BayArena, creating a loud European-night atmosphere.  
• The travelling Newcastle supporters were in full voice, especially after Miley’s goal put them ahead late on.
• Reports described them as already celebrating what looked like a famous away win before Grimaldo’s last-minute equaliser stunned the away end.  

✅ Overall:

• A high-energy Champions League match with a big momentum swing.
• Newcastle produced an impressive comeback but were denied in the final minutes, leaving both teams with a point.

Toon back in the Champions League – Union SG in Brussels

A Eurostar away trip staying in the Pullman at Brussels station – not a dodgy council estate…

The Union Saint‑Gilloise vs Newcastle United match in the UEFA Champions League league phase was played on 1 October 2025 in Brussels (at Lotto Park). Newcastle produced a dominant away performance. 

Final Score

• Union Saint-Gilloise 0 – 4 Newcastle United  

Goalscorers

1. 17’ – Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)
   
   • Opened the scoring with a deflection from a powerful shot by Sandro Tonali.  
3. 43’ – Anthony Gordon (Newcastle, penalty)
   
   • Penalty awarded after Anthony Elanga was fouled in the box.  
5. 64’ – Anthony Gordon (Newcastle, penalty)
   
   • Second penalty after a VAR review for handball.  
7. 80’ – Harvey Barnes (Newcastle)
   
   • Finished a fast counter-attack to seal the win.  

How the Game Went

• Newcastle took control early and scored in the 17th minute through Woltemade.
• They doubled the lead just before halftime when Gordon converted a penalty.
• Union SG had some chances and managed 17 shots but couldn’t score, with Newcastle defending solidly.  
• Gordon added another penalty after the break to make it 3–0, effectively ending the contest.
• Substitute Barnes scored late on a counter-attack to complete a convincing 4–0 victory, Newcastle’s biggest Champions League win.  

✅ Summary: Newcastle dominated the match in Brussels, scoring twice from penalties and controlling the game comfortably to record a 4–0 away win.

Newcastle Fans in Brussels

• The official away allocation was about 1,058 tickets.  

• However, because Brussels is easy to reach from the UK, it was estimated that 1,500+ Newcastle fans travelled to the city.  

• Many supporters who didn’t have tickets still came for the trip and watched the match in bars in the city centre.

Where Fans Gathered

• Police and supporter groups directed fans to gather in the La Bourse / city-centre area of Brussels before the game.  

• That area is full of bars and cafés, and it effectively became a Newcastle fan zone throughout the afternoon.

Stadium and Atmosphere

• The match was played at Lotto Park, home of R.S.C. Anderlecht.

• Union SG’s usual ground, Stade Joseph Marien, was too small to host Champions League games, so the fixture was moved there.  

Inside the stadium:

• Newcastle supporters were placed behind the goal in the away section.  

• The away end is steep and close to the pitch, which meant the travelling fans created a very loud atmosphere despite the relatively small allocation.

Overall Atmosphere

• Thousands of Geordie fans filled central Brussels hours before kick-off, singing and gathering in bars.

• After the 4–0 Newcastle win, the away section stayed loud well after the final whistle as fans celebrated one of the club’s biggest Champions League away victories.  

✅ In short:

• Around 1,500 Newcastle fans travelled.

• ~1,058 were inside the stadium, with others in the city.

• The atmosphere was lively in central Brussels and loud in the away end, especially after the convincing 4-0 victory.