Champions League Matchday 1: Newcastle vs Barcelona facts

Memories will be stirred of a famous UEFA Champions League hat-trick when Newcastle United take on Barcelona at St James' Park on Matchday 1.

Last match

The teams have met four times in UEFA competition, Barcelona recording three wins to Newcastle’s one.

Faustino Asprilla's hat-trick gave Newcastle a 3-2 victory at home on Matchday 1 of the 1997/98 Champions League, Barça winning the return 1-0 on Matchday 5. The Spanish team won 3-1 at home and 2-0 away in the 2002/03 second group stage.

Newcastle have won four of their six home matches against Spanish teams in UEFA competition (L2).

Barcelona have lost only two of their last 17 Champions League group stage/league phase games against English teams (W8 D7) – although they have been beaten in their last two games in England overall.

Newcastle

This is Newcastle's fourth campaign in the Champions League proper, although only their second since facing Barcelona in 2002/03.

Eddie Howe's side were fourth in their section behind Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan two seasons ago (W1 D2 L3), their sole win a 4-1 home success against the French club on Matchday 2.

Barcelona

This is Barcelona's 30th campaign in the Champions League proper, a competition record they share with Real Madrid. They have featured every season since 2003/04.

Second in last season's league phase (W6 D1 L1), Hansi Flick's side went on to beat Benfica (4-1 aggregate) and Borussia Dortmund (5-3) before losing to Inter (3-3 h, 3-4 a aet) – equalling the record for most goals in a Champions League semi-final tie.

Barcelona have lost on Matchday 1 in only three of their previous 29 Champions League participations (W20 D6), although they did go down 1-2 at Monaco in their opening game of 2024/25.

Key stats

Newcastle have won only one of their last eight European matches (D3 L4).

The Magpies have lost only three of their last 31 home European games (W21 D7) although they have been beaten in the last two, by Dortmund (0-1) and Milan (1-2) in 2023.

Barcelona are unbeaten in their last seven league phase matches (W6 D1).

Barça have scored three or more goals in ten of their last 13 Champions League games.

Robert Lewandowski has nine goals in his last seven league phase appearances.

Joint-top scorer in the 2024/25 competition with 13 goals – and nine assists – Raphinha has 16 goals in his last 16 Champions League games.