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Newcastle United will play Barcelona in the Champions League last-16 as the Magpies look forward to a blockbuster tie on their return to knockout European competition.
Four wins and two draws was not enough to ensure that Eddie Howe’s side finished in the top eight spots of the league phase table, and a battling 1-1 draw with PSG on the final matchday of the league phase meant both teams entered the play-off stage.
But Newcastle cruised into the knockouts by thrashing Qarabag 6-1 away from home, with Anthony Gordon hitting a hat-trick, before finishing the job at St James’ Park to progress through 9-3 on aggregate.
And now Newcastle can look forward to a glamour trip to Barcelona for the first time since the 2002-03 season, having lost to the Spanish champions on the opening night of this season’s league phase. Marcus Rashford scored twice as Barcelona won 2-1 at St James’ Park in September.
Newcastle’s Champions League draw
Should they progress past Barcelona, Newcastle will face either Atletico Madrid or Tottenham in the quarter-finals. As Newcastle are the 12th seeds, having come through the play-offs, they will play their first leg at home and the second leg away in the last-16. That would also be the case in the quarter-finals, unless they are the higher seed.
What about the semi-finals?
If Newcastle reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history, they know they would play one of four teams:
They are Bodo/Glimt, Sporting CP, Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal.
Full Champions League bracket
Top half
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe (PA Wire)
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bottom half
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham
Bodo Glimt vs Sporting CP
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
What are the match dates?
The last-16 ties will take place in mid-March. Here are the remaining round dates:
Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)