Brandt inspires Dortmund to damage Newcastle’s last-16 hopes
DORTMUND: A late goal from Julian Brandt sealed a 2-0 home win for Borussia Dortmund over Newcastle on Tuesday, severely denting the English side’s hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout phase. Returning to the Champions League after two decades, Newcastle traveled to Dortmund needing a win to put them back on course for a place in the last 16, but were outclassed by the German side from start to finish. The victory saw Dortmund go top of a difficult Group F with two games remaining, three points clear of Newcastle and with the head-to-head advantage. Paris Saint-Germain can retain their lead in the section by avoiding defeat at AC Milan later on Tuesday. Injury-hit Newcastle traveled to Dortmund without a full complement of players, manager Eddie Howe losing defenders Dan Burn and Matt Targett to long-term injuries in his side’s 1-0 win over Arsenal on the weekend. Comprehensively outplayed just three days ago against a Harry Kane-powered Bayern, Dortmund stormed confidently into the match, Niclas Fuellkrug and Karim Adeyemi unleashing fierce shots on Newcastle’s goal within the opening 15 minutes. The 30-year-old Fuellkrug, a year on from making his Germany debut, broke the deadlock midway through the half, scoring his first goal in the Champions League. Felix Nmecha, who scored the game’s only goal at St.
