Marseille 2-1 Newcastle United: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inspires Champions League win

Newcastle United were beaten 2-1 in the Champions League by hosts Marseille on Tuesday night at Stade Velodrome after a second-half collapse.

The Magpies started the match well, taking the lead just after the five-minute mark when Harvey Barnes instinctively pounced on a loose ball in the box following Sandro Tonali's cross.

However, Newcastle suffered a nightmare start to the second half, conceding twice within the first five minutes after the interval, with both goals scored by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Nick Pope will have to bear the brunt of blame for the first of Aubameyang's goals given he needlessly rushed out of the box, allowing the striker to take the ball past him and aim for an open net.

Marseille managed to hold on for three points, leaving them in 19th place with six points, whereas Newcastle end the night in eighth place with nine points from five games.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Marseille deserve immense credit for coming from behind, and they were on balance the better team, with the club creating six big chances compared to the visitors' one.

Newcastle's domestic season has been poor, with the team lingering in 14th place with 15 points in the Premier League, but now their European campaign looks to be in the balance.

The Magpies failed to create a single big chance in the second half, and the team's continued struggles in the final third are alarming.

There are not any expectations on Eddie Howe to win the Champions League, though fans will be concerned by the prospect of potentially having to participate in a round of 16 playoff.

MARSEILLE VS. NEWCASTLE UNITED HIGHLIGHTS

Harvey Barnes goal vs. Marseille (6th min, Marseille 0-1 Newcastle United)

It's Harvey Barnes again ?‍?

A dream start in Marseille as Barnes smashes home to give Newcastle an early lead.@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1XNLlSmqWG
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 25, 2025

Sandro Tonali fires in a ferocious cross from the right that ricochets in the penalty area before landing at the feet of Barnes, who strikes across his body with his left foot into the bottom corner.

A quick start for the Toon!

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal vs. Newcastle United (46th min, Marseille 1-1 Newcastle United)

Take a bow, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ?

A stunning finish and it's game on in Marseille.@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yuFCGJWe6c
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 25, 2025

Aubameyang runs down the right flank but Newcastle goalkeeper Pope bizarrely rushes out of goal and allows the striker to take a touch past him, before finishing from a tight angle into an empty net.

What was Pope thinking?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal vs. Newcastle United (50th min, Marseille 2-1 Newcastle United)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the double ?‍?

The game turns on its head and Marseille lead!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/IpWVqVAyKw
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 25, 2025

Dan Burn watches the ball float in from the right but fails to spot Aubameyang making a run towards the near post, and the Marseille man squeezes in a finish into the roof of the net past Pope.

Marseille ahead!

MAN OF THE MATCH - PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG

We will never get tired of seeing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shine in Europe ? pic.twitter.com/DXJmcCzDHZ
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) November 25, 2025

Though Aubameyang enjoyed an element of fortune with his first goal, he should still be credited for taking full advantage of Nick Pope's error.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea man also managed to sneak in at the near post to score the winner, with his instinctive finishing helping Marseille claim all three points.

MARSEILLE VS. NEWCASTLE UNITED MATCH STATS

Possession: Marseille 58%-42% Newcastle United

Shots: Marseille 18-20 Newcastle United

Shots on target: Marseille 7-9 Newcastle United

Corners: Marseille 11-5 Newcastle United

Fouls: Marseille 10-8 Newcastle United

BEST STATS

Only Victor Osimhen (6) has been involved in more Champions League goals than Harvey Barnes this season (5). ? pic.twitter.com/gjwDV5qIzW
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 25, 2025

36-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has 16 goal contributions in 16 matches across all competitions this season ? pic.twitter.com/vYEgaYrmtE
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 25, 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Marseille will return to league action on Saturday when they host Toulouse, and their following game will come against Lille on December 5.

As for Newcastle, they take on Everton away from home in the Premier League on Saturday, before they then welcome Tottenham Hotspur to St James' Park on December 6.