Marseille came from behind to defeat Newcastle United at the Stade Velodrome as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang delivered a decisive Champions League performance.
Newcastle looked comfortable after Harvey Barnes scored early, but their control eroded as Marseille took control of the game.
Barnes opened the scoring after Sandro Tonali broke forward and released Anthony Gordon. His cutback allowed the winger to fire past Geronimo Rulli from close range.
The goal continued Barnes’s excellent form and briefly silenced a home crowd that had generated a feverish atmosphere before kick-off.
Newcastle pressed high in the opening exchanges and forced Marseille back, but they could not maintain that tempo as the hosts began using the ball with greater authority.
Marseille created chances through quick combinations on the flanks, with Mason Greenwood repeatedly linking with Aubameyang to stretch Newcastle’s back line.
Aubameyang threatened before the break with an improvised swivel and chest control that forced Nick Pope into a smart save, signalling the danger that materialised later.
Newcastle still posed a threat on the counter-attack. Gordon surged clear to test Rulli again, but Marseille ended the first half in control of possession.
The match turned dramatically within seconds of the restart when Darryl Bakola slid a pass behind Newcastle’s defence, and Pope rushed out unsuccessfully.
Aubameyang rounded the goalkeeper and finished from a tight angle to level the scoreline.
Marseille quickly struck again through a move built down the right as Timothy Weah beat Tino Livramento and delivered a cross that Aubameyang guided in at the near post.
The veteran forward’s quickfire double electrified the stadium and left Newcastle shell-shocked as their defensive organisation faltered under Marseille’s renewed tempo.
Joe Willock tested Rulli with a driven effort as Newcastle sought a response, but Marseille controlled the rhythm and prevented them from regaining fluency.
Aubameyang departed to a standing ovation after a display that combined clinical finishing with impeccable movement and leadership.
Newcastle pushed late on but could not breach a Marseille team that managed the closing stages intelligently and kept them at arm’s length.
Their persistent struggles on the road left them eighth in the league phase standings and facing a more complicated route towards progression.
