Newcastle United 0 Atlético Madrid 2 | OneFootball

After a goalless first-half at St. James' Park, with Newcastle arguably creating the better chances in front of goal, Julián Alvarez's close-range strike broke the deadlock for the La Liga outfit, who finished in third place of the Spanish top-flight last season.

Antoine Griezmann's stabbed finish shortly after the hour mark doubled the visitors' lead as United missed out on retaining the trophy for a third successive year, with Anthony Gordon also withdrawn in the closing stages after pulling up with a leg issue.

Following a 2-2 draw against RCD Espanyol the previous day, head coach Eddie Howe elected for a new starting XI as Anthony Elanga was handed his first Magpies start on home soil following the Sweden international's summer arrival from Nottingham Forest.

The visitors created the opening opportunities in front of goal as Atleti defender Dávid Hancko drove a fierce first-time effort from distance wide of the right-hand post before Alvarez, formerly of Manchester City, directed an attempt from the edge of the penalty area over Nick Pope's crossbar.

Newcastle were fortunate not to fall behind shortly after as Giuliano Simeone latched onto Álex Baena's lofted pass in behind the Magpies defence but the Argentine winger, son of Atlético head coach Diego, dragged a low effort across the penalty area.

With over 51,500 fans in attendance for United's final pre-season fixture, Pope produced an important stop to prevent Matteo Ruggeri from opening the scoring as the Italian defender's fierce drive towards the front post was blocked by the 33-year-old shot-stopper.

Kieran Trippier, who joined the Magpies from Atlético in January 2022, went close to scoring against his former club as the right-back's low free-kick on the edge of the box was pushed away by goalkeeper Jan Oblak before Joelinton's glancing header from Harvey Barnes' teasing delivery from the left flank flew inches wide of the right-hand post.

Joelinton, who celebrates his 29th birthday on Thursday, saw his header from Trippier's inviting free-kick on the right flank directed wide of the left-hand post before the Brazilian was denied minutes later as another header, this time from Harrison Ashby's lofted cross into the box, was held by Oblak.

In the 50th minute, Newcastle fell behind as Alvarez converted for Atleti as, following Baena's dangerous pass, the unmarked Argentine was situated at the back post to turn the ball into an empty net inside the six-yard area.

Newcastle were delivered a further blow in the 63rd minute as Griezmann, one of multiple substitutions by the Spanish side minutes prior, extended Atlético's advantage as the French forward latched onto Alexander Sørloth's pass inside the box before cleverly poking the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

The Magpies, who will kick off their 2025/26 Premier League campaign next weekend when facing an away trip to Aston Villa on Saturday, 16th August (kick-off 12:30pm BST), will be hopeful Gordon is available for United's league opener despite the Liverpool-born winger hobbling off the field in the closing stages, pulling up whilst chasing a loose ball.

Teenage full-back Leo Shahar, who joined the Magpies from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2023, was handed his first-team debut in the final minutes of the encounter but, otherwise, United were unable to inspire a late fightback against Diego Simeone's men.

Newcastle United: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier (Leo Shahar 87), Sven Botman (Alex Murphy 46), Jamaal Lascelles (c), Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon (Sean Neave 84), Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga, Tino Livramento, Harrison Ashby (Alfie Harrison 61).

Substitutes: John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie, Garang Kuol, Dylan Charlton, Trevan Sanusi.