Newcastle United suffered a second damaging defeat in the Champions League group stage as they were beaten 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund. The loss has left Eddie Howe's side in a precarious position, with their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage now hanging in the balance.

The match started off on a sour note for Newcastle, as Dortmund took the lead in the 26th minute. A series of failed clearances allowed the ball to be pulled back to Niclas Fullkrug, who fired it past goalkeeper Nick Pope and defender Kieran Trippier on the line.

However, the match was also marred by a protest from Dortmund fans against UEFA. At the restart, they threw paper tennis balls and fake gold bars onto the pitch and held up a banner criticizing the governing body for prioritizing money over the sport.

In the second half, Howe made two substitutions, replacing teenage full-back Lewis Hall for a second time and striker Callum Wilson. Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon came on in their place. Despite the changes, Newcastle struggled to find their rhythm, and Dortmund sealed the game with a counter-attack goal from Julian Brandt in the 79th minute.

With this defeat, Newcastle's chances of progressing to the knockout stage have become slim. They now face a must-win situation in their final two Group F matches. A victory against AC Milan at home and an away win against Paris Saint-Germain are imperative to their hopes.

However, Newcastle's position is made even more precarious due to the Champions League's head-to-head record rule. As it stands, Newcastle are trailing Dortmund in both goal difference and head-to-head record. They would need to secure at least four more points and hope that Dortmund also loses their remaining fixtures to finish above them.

If Newcastle fails to qualify for the knockout stage, they still have a chance at securing a spot in the Europa League knockout phase. A third-place finish in the group would ensure European football after Christmas.

One of the key talking points of the match was the substitution of Callum Wilson at halftime. The English striker, who was making his first Champions League start, had a disappointing performance, managing just four touches in the first half. After the game, Howe revealed that Wilson was replaced due to tightness in his hamstring.

The introduction of Anthony Gordon in place of Wilson did bring some improvement to Newcastle's attack. With his fitness and speed, Gordon was able to stretch Dortmund's defense and create space for his teammates.

Lewis Hall, on the other hand, had a frustrating night. This was his third start for Newcastle, but once again, he was substituted at halftime. The 19-year-old full-back had a difficult time dealing with Dortmund's attackers and was at fault for the first goal.

Speaking after the game, Howe admitted that Newcastle are currently dealing with a stretched squad due to injuries. Both Wilson and Hall had to be substituted due to physical issues, leaving the team with limited options.

Looking ahead, Newcastle will now focus on their upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth. The fixture will hold an added significance for Howe, as he returns to face his former club. Newcastle will be aiming to maintain their recent momentum and secure a positive result before the international break.

In conclusion, Newcastle United's hopes of progressing in the Champions League have taken a major blow with their defeat against Borussia Dortmund. The team now faces an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stage, with two crucial matches remaining. Newcastle will need to dig deep and secure victories while relying on other results to go their way.