Newcastle United's impressive Champions League momentum came to an abrupt halt at Marseille's Stade Velodrome on Tuesday evening, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's clinical second-half double secured a 2-1 victory for the French side.
The Magpies had entered the match riding high on three consecutive European victories, but their travel troubles persisted in the south of France.
Despite taking an early lead through Harvey Barnes, Eddie Howe's men surrendered their advantage in dramatic fashion.
The 36-year-old Gabonese striker proved the difference-maker, netting twice within four minutes after the interval to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Newcastle were blunted in front of goal despite going ahead and missed several chances
|REUTERS
His performance ended Marseille's lengthy 12-match winless streak against English opposition whilst halting Newcastle's European resurgence.
Barnes struck his fourth goal in just three matches to give Newcastle the perfect start at the hostile venue.
The winger confidently converted from close range after Sandro Tonali's delivery from the right found its way to him in the sixth minute.
Eddie Howe had surprised many with his tactical approach, deploying Jacob Murphy and Tino Livramento as wing-backs in a 3-5-2 system.
This formation saw Barnes partner Anthony Gordon up front, with Germany's £70m striker Nick Woltemade left on the bench.
Marseille came back from a goal down to beat Newcastle
|REUTERS
The visitors' well-organised defensive shape initially frustrated Roberto De Zerbi's side, who struggled to break down Newcastle's compact five-man rearguard despite enjoying increasing possession as the first half progressed.
Nick Pope's catastrophic misjudgement proved the turning point merely 19 seconds after the interval.
The England goalkeeper inexplicably charged from his area attempting to intercept Darryl Bakola's through ball, only for Aubameyang to reach it first.
The veteran striker expertly rounded the stranded keeper before finishing from an improbable angle.
Pope's blunder was compounded within four minutes when Aubameyang struck again, stabbing home Timothy Weah's cross at the near post.
The quickfire double transformed the match completely. Where Newcastle had controlled proceedings before the break, they suddenly found themselves trailing and unable to recover their earlier composure despite introducing multiple substitutes in search of an equaliser.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the double 😮💨
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 25, 2025
The game turns on its head and Marseille lead!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/IpWVqVAyKw
The result leaves Newcastle occupying eighth position in the league phase standings with nine points from five matches.
Their next European assignment takes them to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen as they seek to secure automatic qualification for the knockout rounds.
Marseille's crucial victory lifts them to 19th place with six points, breathing life into their qualification ambitions after securing just their second win of the campaign. The French side next travel to Belgium to face Union Saint-Gilloise.
"I'm feeling great even if I'm 36..."
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 25, 2025
Match-winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a huge night for Marseille 🤝@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK | @LiamMacdevitt pic.twitter.com/pKXl7yNnAf
For Newcastle, the defeat represents their fourth consecutive loss away from home across all competitions, highlighting persistent struggles on their travels that Eddie Howe must address if his side are to avoid the playoff route in Europe's premier competition.