It wasn’t supposed to end like this. Newcastle United walked into the Stade Vélodrome on Wednesday night with momentum, confidence, and a chance to all but lock up a Champions League knockout spot. Instead, they left with their European hopes hanging by a thread — and a goalkeeper’s costly mistake etched into the memory of every fan watching. A 2-1 defeat to Olympique de Marseille wasn’t just a loss; it was a collapse. And it all started with a single, unforgivable error from Nick Pope.
Early Promise, Then a Perfect Storm
The opening minutes suggested a different script. Harvey Barnes, the sharp 27-year-old English midfielder, pounced on a loose ball after Sandro Tonali’s clever cut-back and slotted it low into the far corner. Just six minutes in. The away end erupted. For a moment, it felt like Newcastle were cruising. Malick Thiaw, the German-French center-back, came close to doubling the lead with a thunderous header that Pierre-Emile Højbjerg somehow cleared off the line. Marseille, by contrast, looked sluggish. Uncharacteristically hesitant. But football has a way of rewriting narratives. By halftime, Marseille had taken control. Pope, the 32-year-old England international who joined from Burnley for £10 million in 2022, was under siege. He made saves, yes — but the tension was building. The kind of tension that precedes disaster.The Moment Everything Changed
It came two minutes after the restart. A long ball forward. Pope rushed out, as he often does — aggressive, confident, sometimes reckless. But this time, he misjudged the bounce. Aubameyang, the 35-year-old Gabonese veteran, was already moving. He didn’t even need to sprint. He simply stepped around Pope, like a man walking past an open door, and tapped the ball into the net. Goal.com called it a "catastrophic mistake." The Telegraph, more bluntly, said it "cost Newcastle dear." And then, just four minutes later, it got worse. Timothy Weah, the 24-year-old American winger, surged down the left flank. His cross wasn’t perfect — but it didn’t need to be. Aubameyang, now smelling blood, rose above Fabian Schar and headed it past Pope with cold precision. A double. A statement. The Olympique de Marseille bench exploded. The crowd, a sea of red and blue, roared like they’d just won a title.Who Was to Blame? And Who Stepped Up?
Newcastle’s midfield, once so energetic, looked disjointed. Joe Willock, booked early and ineffective, was replaced after 67 minutes. Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon, both rated 6/10, offered little in attack. Even Harvey Barnes, the scorer, faded as Marseille’s press tightened. Fabian Schar, the 33-year-old Swiss defender, held firm until his substitution — a rare bright spot. Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille’s 45-year-old Italian manager, looked calm. His side had broken a 12-match winless streak against English clubs. That psychological barrier, long thought unbreakable, was gone. "This win changes everything," he said afterward, according to UEFA.com. "We believed. We waited. And when the chance came, we took it." Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s 47-year-old head coach, stood stone-faced in his post-match press conference. He didn’t offer excuses. But the questions will linger: Should Pope start again? Is the team too reliant on individual brilliance? And why did they fall apart so quickly after taking the lead?The Bigger Picture: A Fight for Survival
This loss wasn’t just about three points. It was about momentum. Newcastle had won their first three Champions League games. Now, they’re tied on points with Marseille, trailing only on goal difference. The top eight qualify automatically. Ninth and tenth go to the Europa League. That’s not a minor distinction — it’s a financial chasm. Their next three fixtures? A nightmare. Bayer 04 Leverkusen at home, then PSV Eindhoven away, and finally a trip to Paris Saint-Germain. Three games. Three minefields. One slip, and their Champions League dream could vanish. Newcastle United, valued at £1.1 billion since the 2021 Saudi-led takeover, is under more scrutiny than ever. The fans expect progress. The board expects results. And now, after this performance, even the most loyal supporters are asking: Is this team good enough?What Now for Newcastle?
The answer lies in resilience. They’ve shown it before — in comebacks against Brentford, in the FA Cup run last season. But Champions League football doesn’t reward heart alone. It demands discipline. Consistency. And above all, composure under pressure. Pope’s mistake was human. But in elite football, humans are held to impossible standards. Will Howe stick with him? Or will he turn to the untested Karl Darlow? That decision might define their campaign. Meanwhile, Marseille — once seen as a European also-ran — now look dangerous. Aubameyang, at 35, is playing like a man with something to prove. And De Zerbi? He’s building something special in the south of France.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nick Pope’s error impact Newcastle’s Champions League chances?
Pope’s two errors directly led to Marseille’s goals, turning what should have been a commanding win into a damaging 2-1 loss. That result cuts Newcastle’s lead over Marseille to just three points in the group table, meaning they can no longer afford another slip-up. With three tough fixtures ahead, even a draw in one of them could now cost them automatic qualification — potentially pushing them into the Europa League playoff round.
Why is Marseille’s win over an English team such a big deal?
Marseille had lost their previous 11 matches against English clubs in European competition, dating back to 2013. That streak included heavy defeats to Manchester United and Liverpool. Beating Newcastle, a team with Premier League firepower and deep pockets, breaks a psychological barrier that had haunted the club for over a decade. It signals a shift — Marseille are no longer just a domestic force.
What does this result mean for Eddie Howe’s future at Newcastle?
While Howe has backing from the board, this defeat raises serious questions about squad depth and tactical flexibility. If Newcastle fail to qualify for the knockout stage after spending over £1 billion on the club, pressure will mount. A win against Leverkusen next week is now essential — otherwise, calls for a change in approach, or even personnel, could grow louder among fans and media.
Is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still a top-level striker at 35?
Absolutely. His two goals against Newcastle were textbook striker’s finishes — timing, movement, composure. He’s now scored in four consecutive Champions League games this season. At 35, he’s not just hanging on; he’s thriving. Marseille’s decision to sign him on a free transfer last summer looks like a masterstroke, especially with younger forwards like Evan N’Dicka still developing.
What are Newcastle’s realistic chances of advancing now?
They’re still in control, but it’s tighter than ever. They need at least five points from their final three games — meaning they can only afford one loss. A win against Leverkusen, a draw at PSV, and a win at PSG would seal it. But if they lose to Leverkusen, they’ll likely need to beat PSG at home just to stay in the top eight. The margin for error is razor-thin.
How does this match compare to past Champions League collapses by English teams?
It echoes Manchester United’s 2017 loss to PSG, where a 3-1 lead vanished after defensive chaos. But unlike that match, Newcastle didn’t lose due to fatigue or overconfidence — they lost because of a single, avoidable error. That makes it more painful. It’s not a case of being outplayed; it’s a case of self-sabotage. In the Champions League, that’s often fatal.
