- The Brazilian opened the scoring in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter
- Joelinton put Newcastle in the lead with a goal from just inside the box
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- FOLLOW LIVE: Newcastle v AC Milan – Live score, key updates and reaction
Joelinton gave Newcastle the lead against AC Milan in Wednesday’s crunch Champions League clash with a thunderous strike from just inside the box.
The Brazilian was on-target as he took a touch before unleashing an extraordinary shot that left Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan helplessly stretching and the net bulging.
Joelinton’s effort gave Newcastle a deserved lead in the 33rd-minute and put Eddie Howe‘s side on-track for a famous win that was required for them to book their place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League. PSG needed to draw or lose their match against Borussia Dortmund for that to happen.
The chance presented itself to the 27-year-old after he was played into space by Anthony Gordon and decided to try his luck.
His sweet strike sailed through a crowded penalty area and into the goal, with St James’ Park erupting the moment the ball found the back of the net.
Joelinton fired Newcastle ahead against AC Milan in the first half with a stunning strike
The Brazilian’s long-range strike sailed past Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and into the goal
Ally McCoist described the goal as ‘magic’ and praised Gordon for finding his team-mate in a shooting position.
‘It comes from Gordon getting into that pocket as Calabria can’t go with him. What a hit, what a hit, absolutely magic it really was,’ said McCoist on TNT Sports.
‘Again Livramento on the left poses, Calabria cant go into that hole, what goes on is Anthony Gordon senses that, picks it up and plays it wide, Joelinton smashes it into the corner.
‘What a goal. What a goal it is. Goalkeeper no chance, brilliant play all round. Livramento excellent ,’ he added.
Former Manchester United and England goalkeeper similarly marvelled over the wondergoal but explained Joelinton initially took a bad touch but made it look good with his final shot.
Joelinton’s strike sent St James’ Park wild as the hosts took a deserved lead against Milan
Rio Ferdinand described the goal as a ‘fantastic shot’ as Newcastle rallied in the first half
‘I think his touch the way the ball bobbles up it’s almost like a bad touch but turns into a good one because it hits you on the body that’s how he’s able to generate that power,’ he said.
‘It’s a fantastic shot I think there’s a lot of people surprised actually. Even in the stadiums he does not one load to score many goals but the reaction here.’
Ex-Newcastle midfielder heaped further praise on Joelinton, adding: Does he [Calabria] take on Anthony Gordon does he take the brunt of Livramento and just drop it into that pocket there just gives him acres of space and now he’s just got choices.
‘He’s just got to pick the right paths. There’s a bit of calmness from the rest of it I mean, finish unbelievable,’ he said.
