Plenty of contenders for the official UEFA Champions League team of the week after this midweek action.
The second leg play-off round of matches in the top European competition.
Sixteen clubs competing, with four matches on Tuesday and then another four on Wednesday.
When it comes to games that might have produced these contenders, did the match at St James’ Park serve up any contenders…?
[Eddie Howe’s](https://www.themag.co.uk/2026/02/eddie-howe-and-newcastle-united-lets-talk-about-facts/) side with an exhilarating start that put them 2-0 up within six minutes, 8-1 on aggregate. Sandro Tonali the first goal, Joelinton the second.
Then maybe all too predictably, the rest of the game not living up to that electric opening, Newcastle eventually winning 3-2 on the night, 9-3 on aggregate.
United still had more moments as the game went on, as a towering Botman header produced the third NUFC goal and what about that sublime Nick Woltemade touch that sent Jacob Murphy through one one one with the keeper!
What about all the individuals though from across all the eight play-off first leg matches?
**Official UEFA Champions League [announcement](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/02a2-2004d56e4f47-ecff01550560-1000--champions-league-team-of-the-week-knockout-phase-play-off-s/) – 26 February 2026:**
_‘Champions League Team of the Week:_
_The all-star team from the second legs of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs, as selected by the UEFA Technical Observer Group, which has an experienced observer watching each match and is supported in its selections by the UEFA Game Insight Unit in Nyon, Switzerland._
Jan Oblak, Atleti
Davide Zappacosta, Atalanta
Odin Bjørtuft, Bodø/Glimt
Edmond Tapsoba, Leverkusen
Weston McKennie, Juventus
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Paris
Aurélien Tchouaméni, Real Madrid
**Sandro Tonali, Newcastle**
**An energetic presence in the Newcastle midfield, he hit their opening goal and, moreover, was crucial to his team’s ability to hold on to the ball and control the centre of the pitch.**
Jens Petter Hauge, Bodø/Glimt
Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray
Alexander Sørloth, Atleti