The blue and white stripes of FC Porto and the black and white stripes of Newcastle United are known by fans around the world. Both clubs are steeped in history and tradition, enjoying varying degrees of success on the European stage.
FC Porto, often affectionately referred to as "Dragões," boasts a rich trophy cabinet that highlights their continental success. The Portuguese club made history with their first European Cup triumph in 1987, coming from behind to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in a thrilling final held in Vienna.
One year after their 2002/03 UEFA Cup win, Porto clinched their second UEFA Champions League trophy. This remarkable journey to glory was masterminded by a young and visionary coach named José Mourinho. Despite maintaining a consistent presence in the UEFA Champions League, Porto have failed to progress past the quarter-finals since their 2004 triumph.
In stark contrast, Newcastle United haven’t managed to win any major trophy since winning the FA Cup way back in 1955. However, the club is enjoying a renaissance of sorts thanks to substantial investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
Newcastle’s European accolades include two now-defunct trophies: the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 and the Intertoto Cup in 2006. Newcastle supporters certainly yearn for more. Under the astute guidance of Eddie Howe, they entered the UEFA Champions League group stage in the 2023/24 season, ending a hiatus of more than two decades from Europe’s top club competition.
FC Porto vs Newcastle United Head to Head
FC Porto and Newcastle United crossed paths in European competition back in 1969 when they faced off in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Round of 32. The Magpies prevailed in the two-legged encounter, beating their Portuguese counterparts 1-0 on aggregate.
The two clubs have seldom met in Europe's elite competition, primarily due to Newcastle's limited participation. Buy Porto vs Newcastle tickets on SeatPick to secure your seat to their next encounter.
FC Porto vs Newcastle United Connections
The intriguing connections between FC Porto and Newcastle United include the legendary British manager Sir Bobby Robson. He achieved remarkable success at FC Porto, securing successive league titles before moving to Barcelona. Robson later took the reins at Newcastle for the final five years of his managerial career, from 1999 to 2004, leaving an indelible mark on both clubs.
Additionally, a few footballers have bridged the divide between Porto and Newcastle. One such player is Christian Atsu, who began his professional career at Porto and subsequently spent five years at St James' Park after failing to break into Chelsea's first team.
Another notable figure is Congolese defender Chancel Mbemba. He spent three years at Newcastle before Porto splashed out £7m to sign him. Mbemba enjoyed a fruitful four-year spell at Porto before embarking on a new adventure with Marseille in 2022.
At the turn of the century, Croatian attacking midfielder Silvio Marić left Dinamo Zagreb to make his name in western Europe. He spent one season at both Newcastle United and FC Porto. Despite his efforts, he didn't find the desired success at either club and returned to his former club, Dinamo Zagreb.
