Bayer Leverkusen defeated Newcastle United 2-1 in the opening match of the Visit Malta Weekender taking place this weekend at St James Park Newcastle.

Newcastle United welcomed German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen to St James’ Park in the opening match of the Visit Malta Weekender, as the Magpies continued their final preparations ahead of the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season. This was the third friendly match since German Manager Mathias Jaissle took over the team.

The encounter was the first of three matches taking place at St James’ Park over the weekend, bringing together men’s and women’s football as part of a two-day programme supported by Visit Malta 2026.

For Newcastle, the match provided another important opportunity for the squad to gain valuable minutes ahead of the new domestic campaign, while also giving the home supporters the chance to see their team in action at St James’ Park during the final stages of pre-season.

During the Visit Malta weekender Newcastle United honoured the memory of Kevin Keegan with a series of tributes across the pre-season fixtures. His image was shown on stadium screens in the 7th minute allowing home supporters to pay their respects.

Bayer Leverkusen made the perfect start at St James’ Park, catching Newcastle United cold and taking the lead inside the opening minute through Ibrahim Maza. The early goal immediately put the Magpies on the back foot and gave the German side the opportunity to settle quickly into the encounter.

Just before the break the Magpies gradually grew into the encounter and began to pose a greater threat as the first half progressed. Their persistence was finally rewarded just before the half-time whistle, when defender Malick Thiaw rose highest to head home the equaliser, bringing Newcastle level at 1-1 and giving the home supporters something to celebrate before the interval.

Half Time– Newcastle United 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1

Bayer Leverkusen regained the lead in the second half through substitute Victor Boniface. The Nigerian striker, who had started the match on the bench, made his presence felt after being introduced, finding the back of the net to put the German side 2-1 ahead.

Both coaches used the friendly to make several changes, giving players valuable playing time ahead of their respective competitive campaigns before the start of the new season.

Newcastle United will return on Sunday afternoon when they face French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg in the final match of the Visit Malta Weekender.

Before that encounter, Newcastle United Women will take centre stage at St James’ Park when they face Inter Women at 1.00pm with both matches forming part of Sunday’s double-header.

The Visit Malta Weekender forms part of the ongoing collaboration between Newcastle United and Visit Malta, promoting Malta as a destination to an international football audience. Visit Malta branding was visible throughout St James’ Park as supporters enjoyed a weekend combining top-level football with the promotion of the Maltese Islands.

At the end of the match, Jeffrey Powell Marketing Manager of Visit Malta presented the Visit Malta Cup to Bayer Leverkusen.

Games can be watched live on TVMsport+

Line-ups

Newcastle United:
L Hornicek, L Hall, S Botman, M. Thiaw ©, M Miley, L Miley, S Steur, H Barnes, N Woltemade, A Elanga, Y Wissa.

Coach: Mathias Jaissle

Subs:

Aidan Harris, Dylan Charlton, Miodrag Pivas, Henry Johnson, Rory Finneran, Trevan Sanusi.

Bayer Leverkusen:
Flekken Mark, Gutierrez Miguel, Bade Loic, Fernandez Equi, Moreira Afonso, Tillman Malik, Tapsoba Edmond ©, Arthur Garcia Aleix, Maza Ibrahim, Kofane Christian.

Coach: Carles Martinez

Subs:
Blaswich Janis, Lomb Niklas, Hofmann Jonas, Terrier Martin, Schick Patrik, Oermann Tim, Tape Axel, Poku Ernest, Vazquez Lucas, Boniface Viktor, Tella Nathan, Alfa-Ruprecht Farid,

Images by Matthias Brancaleone