Aubameyang brace secures Marseille comeback win over Newcastle

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a quickfire brace to complete a spectacular turnaround for Marseille as they returned to winning ways in the Champions League at Newcastle United's expense (2-1).

OM overrun in opening exchanges

It was a poor start from Marseille, who were sloppy in possession and light in the duels. Malick Thiaw saw a header saved off the line by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (4'). But the warning signs were not heeded as just moments later, the visitors took the lead through Harvey Barnes, building on his brace against Manchester City just days earlier (6').

But there was a good reaction from Les Phocéens, who then applied a prolonged period of pressure of their own that yielded two good chances, both of which fell to Aubameyang. Nick Pope saved the first comfortably, with the former Gabon international forced wide (18'); the Englishman's second save was more difficult, as he denied Aubameyang on the swivel to parry the ball out for a corner (19').

Whenever the Tyneside club came forward, however, they looked like scoring. Sandro Tonali forced a save from Geronimo Rulli after a mix-up between Leonardo Balerdi and Arthur Vermeeren (25'), and Barnes would have had a glorious chance to double his account had Bruno Guimaraes' pass not been over-hit (28'). Joe Willock then managed a shot on goal as OM (31') struggled to play out from the back.

Marseille fans never disappoint. 😍

Another stunning tifo lighting up #UCL nights 💙 pic.twitter.com/rE4icyr4sA
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 25, 2025

But this was a game that ebbed and flowed, and OM soon began to create more chances of their own. Igor Paixao curled just wide (34') and Darryl Bakola, the surprise inclusion in the line-up, could have equalised had he opted to shoot rather than win a penalty (36'). The OM academy product was subsequently booked for simulation.

Aubameyang did get a shot off but could not hit the target with his free header. Pope was not tested enough but Rulli was regularly solicited at the other end and the Argentine goalkeeper saved excellently at full stretch from Anthony Gordon to keep the deficit to just one goal (43'). The Englishman was then just centimetres from getting on the end of an excellent Willock cross, which would have deflated the Marseillais on the stroke of half-time (45+3').

Quickfire Aubameyang brace turns game on its head

It could have been a different match had Gordon taken the chance because OM returned from the dressing room a team transformed. Aubameyang, having been so wasteful in the first half, netted from a tight angle (46') as Pope erronously came out, only to find himself in no man's land.

It was an excellent finish from a tight angle, and the angle was against the former Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona man again just moments later, as he diverted Timothy Weah's cross into the roof of Pope's net (50').

The game had been turned on its head in a matter of moments, and the Vélodrome was bouncing. Thereafter, despite Newcastle searching for the win, it was Marseille who had the better chances.

Hojbjerg should have shot sooner when presented a glorious chance (52') and then Balerdi went close with a header at the back post (69'). But having got their noses in front, they would not be pegged back, clinging onto what is a crucial win for De Zerbi's side.

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