The Last Time Newcastle Played Barcelona: Reliving the Famous 1997 St James’ Park Night

Revisiting the last time Newcastle played Barcelona – here’s what happened.

Newcastle United are set to take on Barcelona in the Champions League at St James’ Park on Thursday night — a fixture that immediately evokes memories of one of the most iconic nights in the club’s history.

The last time Newcastle played Barcelona in the competition, back in September 1997, it ended in a legendary 3-2 victory for the Magpies.

That night belongs in folklore for Magpies fans, who fondly remember the electric runs from Keith Gillespie down the right flank that night and of course, Faustino Asprilla’s unforgettable hat-trick.

It was against a star-studded Barca side featuring the likes of Rivaldo, Luis Figo and Luis Enrique.

When Newcastle shocked Barcelona in 1997

Kevin Keegan had departed earlier that year, but Kenny Dalglish’s Newcastle were still brimming with European ambition.

After edging past Croatia Zagreb in qualifying, they were thrown straight into the deep end — facing Louis van Gaal’s Barcelona in their opening Champions League group game.

Few gave Newcastle a chance. But St James’ Park was at its most intimidating, with more than 36,000 fans creating a deafening wall of noise.

It was in that atmosphere that Gillespie, then just 22, tore through Barcelona’s left side time and again.

Asprilla hat-trick vs Barcelona

The game’s first turning point came in the 22nd minute when Asprilla was brought down in the box, before coolly converting the penalty himself.

Just nine minutes later, Gillespie skinned Sergi down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross that Asprilla powered home with a towering leap.

The Colombian striker completed his hat-trick early in the second half, once again connecting with a Gillespie cross to spark delirium in the Gallowgate. At 3-0, the unthinkable was on.

Barcelona fought back through Luis Enrique and Figo, but Newcastle held on for a famous 3-2 win — a night still hailed as one of the greatest in the club’s history.

Last time Newcastle played Barcelona

The last time Newcastle played Barcelona was more than 25 years ago, but the match continues to resonate on Tyneside.

It was the first time Newcastle had faced one of Europe’s elite in the Champions League and they rose to the occasion with style.

Former goalkeeper Shay Given has often recalled the awe of lining up in the tunnel next to Rivaldo and Figo.

Defender Steve Watson has admitted it was one of his best games in black and white, even if Asprilla and Gillespie stole the headlines.

For Gillespie, it was undoubtedly the performance of his career: “You want your best game to be against a Barcelona or Real Madrid. Luckily for me, it was Barcelona,” he said years later.

St James’ Park will once again be under the lights on Thursday; but it’s Barcelona that arrive as favourites with football betting sites.

As the two clubs prepare to meet again, fans will hope Eddie Howe’s side can channel the same energy, intensity and spirit that carried Dalglish’s team to victory in 1997.