Newcastle United 0-1 Borussia Dortmund: Felix Nmecha sucker-punches Magpies for crucial away win

Newcastle United’s UEFA Champions League adventure took a turn for the worse as Borussia Dortmund claimed a deserved 1-0 victory at St James’ Park.

The visitors were a relentless menace on the counter-attack throughout the first half with only a series of last-ditch blocks and fine goalkeeping from Nick Pope stopping them from making an early breakthrough.

Newcastle also had their moments with Anthony Gordon going close before the visitors silenced a buoyant home crowd on the stroke of half time when Felix Nmecha fired in after fine work on the left by Nico Schlotterbeck.

Eddie Howe’s side struggled to find their rhythm following the interval but should have levelled when substitute Callum Wilson fired straight at Gregor Kobel just shy of the hour.

The home team made a late push to rescue a point and twice hit the woodwork through Wilson and Gordon, but the German side held on for a win that reignites their hopes of reaching the last 16.

The result sees the Magpies drop to third spot in Group F on four points, behind second-placed Dortmund via a better head-to-head record.

PSG lead the way with six points following their win over AC Milan, who are bottom of the pool on two points from three matches played.

Next up, Newcastle return to Premier League action at Wolves on Saturday evening. Dortmund visit Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

The Group of Death is shaping up nicely.

It was billed as the pool no-one wanted and results so far after three matches played suggest this could well go to the wire with all of the sides showing they can be a match for anyone on their day.

For Newcastle there will be disappointment that they couldn’t use the magnificent support to pick up another huge win on home turf, but the perspective is that just under two years ago they were bottom of the Premier League without a win.

Now, they are rubbing shoulders with teams with real pedigree in this competition and remain very much in the hunt with three games to go. Dortmund away is up next before a trip to Paris. It won’t be easy and Howe accepts they will have to do it the hard way now, but the goal will be to still be in with a shot of progress come the final home match against AC Milan. This loss was a blow but it’s far from fatal and that St James’ crowd could still play their role on Matchday Six.

Gregor Kobel (Dortmund). The visiting stopper produced a series of top-class saves and dealt with an aerial bombardment at times, making smart decisions and provided the final shield in an excellent defensive performance from the German outfit.

NEWCASTLE: Pope 8, Trippier 7, Lascelles 7, Schar 7, Burn 7, Longstaff 7, Guimaraes 7, Joelinton 7, Almiron 7, Isak 6, Gordon 7. Subs: Wilson 7, Tonali 6, Murphy n/a, Targett 7, Willock 7.

DORTMUND: Kobel 9, Wolf 8, Hummels 8, Schlotterbeck 8, Bensebaini 8, Sabitzer 8, Can 6, Nmecha 8, Reus 7, Fullkrig 7, Malen 8. Subs: Ozcan 7, Adeyemi 7, Reyna 5, Haller 5, Sule 5

02’ – DORTMUND CHANCE! Malen surges free down the middle after a raking pass from Wolf. His touch forces him left inside the penalty area and his low, tame shot is well kept out by Pope’s feet.

03’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Dortmund are caught high up the pitch and Isak leads a rapid breakaway. He turns and awaits the overlap from Gordon on the left, but the winger’s venomous shot is well saved by Kobel.

10’ – DORTMUND CHANCE! Sabitzer counters at speed down the left. He lays it across from Malen, who sees his first-time shot blocked by Pope. The Magpies stopper then jumps to his feet to somehow keep out Füllkrug’s follow-up. Supreme goalkeeping!

45’ – GOAL! – Newcastle 0-1 Dortmund. Schlotterbeck wins the ball inside his own half, plays forward and then overlaps down the left. He receives the return pass in space and then pulls it back for Felix Nmecha to flash home the opener.

57’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Newcastle catch Dortmund out as they try to break. Schar steps in and plays it wide for Gordon. The winger cuts it back for Wilson, who has to score from seven yards out but Kobel spreads himself well and pulls off a huge save.

87’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Wilson gets on the end of Targett’s free kick but sees his header crash back off the crossbar!

90+4’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Newcastle think they are level but Gordon’s deflected shot hits the bar and stays out!

After losing each of their last six away games in England in European competitions, Borussia Dortmund have celebrated their first away win against an English side since a 2-1 against Tottenham Hotspur in March 2016.