Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool after late Szoboszlai penalty at St. James’ Park
Newcastle United and Liverpool played out a 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park on Sunday, August 23, 2026, in a Matchday 1 fixture of the Premier League 2026-27. Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock scored for Newcastle, while Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai (from a 96th-minute penalty) were on the scoresheet for Liverpool.
Newcastle struck early, with Anthony Elanga finishing a rapid counter-attack in the fifth minute to give the hosts the lead and the momentum in the opening stages. The Magpies extended little further in the first half but went into the break with that one-goal advantage after dominating the early proceedings. Matthias Jaissle’s side then opted to sit deeper, looking to hit on the counter rather than dictate possession.
Milos Kerkez, making an appearance in place of Andy Robertson, was exposed by Elanga on the opening goal and was later booked for pulling the winger down. Elanga’s opener arrived after a swift break that left Kerkez unable to recover before the finish. The early scoreline allowed Newcastle to manage the game from a position of control until halftime.
Alexander Isak’s return to St. James’ Park drew jeers from the home supporters and, according to the report, he had only a solitary touch in the opposition box in the first half, failing to test Lukas Hornicek. That lack of influence yielded little reward for his side during the opening 45 minutes. Isak’s limited involvement contrasted with Newcastle’s early attacking threat.
Liverpool improved after the interval and Cody Gakpo levelled in the 55th minute with a long-range strike that flew into the bottom corner. The Reds had struggled, as the report noted, to implement Andoni Iraola’s high-intensity tactics during the opening stages, but Gakpo’s strike provided a route back into the contest. That equaliser briefly shifted momentum towards the visitors.
The parity lasted less than three minutes as Joe Willock restored Newcastle’s lead in the 58th minute after being set up by Yoane Wissa; Willock had come on as a substitute and struck soon after his introduction. Wissa’s darting run created the chance which Willock controlled and finished clinically to put the Magpies ahead. The quick reply underlined the immediate impact of the Newcastle substitutes.
Deep into stoppage time, substitute Victor Munoz won a penalty for Liverpool in the 96th minute, and Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to convert, finding the top corner with a thunderous penalty kick to salvage a draw. That late intervention ensured the contest finished level after a seesaw second half. The match concluded with the scoreline reading 2-2.
The 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park on August 23, 2026, completed Matchday 1 of the Premier League 2026-27 season.