I remember Shearer being a legend... I wanted to come here... it was my only focus...
Schar’s dream comes true
NEWCASTLE United were soundly beaten by SC Braga on a frustrating night in sweltering Portugal.
Even at full-time the thermometer at Estádio Municipal read 30 degrees celius on a night in which the Magpies looked hot and bothered.
It ended their six-day stay on the Atlantic Coast in disappointing manner.
And while Martin Dubravka had saved them away to FC Porto, things didn’t fall for them as Braga ran riot in the second half and netted four goals without reply.
It had started quite positively for Newcastle as they created several chances.
But Newcastle failed to show up for the second half.
Ayoze Perez had the first goal attempt but Braga keeper Matheus palmed away the danger before punching Matt Ritchie’s corner to safety with just two minutes gone.
On eight minutes, Ritchie then controlled the ball well before hitting a shot on the turn which the goalkeeper got down to save well as Newcastle continued their bright start.
With 15 minutes gone Newcastle broke through Dwight Gayle with the ball eventually falling for Christian Atsu but again Matheus came out to smother. Two minutes later Dubravka rushed out to keep out a header from close range before Bruno Viana’s effort was blocked. But Newcastle should have taken the lead on 20 minutes after a leftwing cross was fumbled by Matheus before the ball fell for Ayoze Perez who scooped over a presentable opportunity. Braga almost grabbed the lead seven minutes later when Wilson Eduardo had time and space just outside the box and rattled a low
Goalkeeper Matheus was coming out to head away clearances as Braga started showboating Lee Ryder
shot that struck the base of the post.
The powerful effort proved to be a warning shot from Braga ahead of the second half.
Ciaran Clark came to United’s rescue just after the half-hour mark when he hacked the ball away from a header from Goiano.
Newcastle made just one change at the break with Fabian Schar replacing skipper Jamaal Lascelles.
But the Magpies slipped behind on 53 minutes.
Ricadro Horta was gifted the ball near the edge of the box and calmly stroked home to beat Dubravka low to his left.
Horta had another chance two minutes later but he blazed it over the bar.
Newcastle then tried to freshen things up in midfield as Ki replaced Isaac Hayden just after the hour mark.
There seemed to be an air of frustration in the Newcastle team and this was summed up on 66 minutes as Gayle steamed in late on goalkeeper Matheus before being ticked off by the referee.
Newcastle made another batch of changes mid-way through the second half.
Dubravka was replaced by Karl Darlow while Javier Manquillo and Joselu came on for DeAndre Yedlin and Gayle, who at least got valuable minutes in the tank.
With 15 minutes left Ki’s free-kick was parried away by the keeper.
It eventually came back to Ki who watched a deflected shot fly over the bar.
Joselu did have the ball in the net moments later but was ajudged offside.
They would prove to be costly misses too as Joao Novais volleyed home a second goal from a rightwing cross to double the lead.
With 10 minutes to go Newcastle made a couple more changes as Sean Longstaff and Cal Roberts replaced Ritchie and Perez.
But the niggly nature of this socalled friendly continued as Clark went into the back of Goian and was shown a yellow card.
Another right-wing attack resulted in Fransergio poking home to make it 3-0 and send the home fans into raptures.
By this time goalkeeper Matheus was coming out to head away clearances as Braga statrted showboating.
In the final minute Dyego Sousa fired home from close range to make it 4-0 on a night which underlined the need for reinforcements.