Teen Rio Ngumoha 16 scores stoppage-time winner as 10-man Newcastle’s fightback ends in defeat

Liverpool’s teenage prodigy Rio Ngumoha delivered a jaw-dropping finale at St James’ Park, scoring in the 100th minute to hand the Premier League champions a dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle United.

The 16-year-old substitute not only secured three points with virtually the last kick of the game but also made history as Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer and the fourth youngest in Premier League history, behind James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney.

The game unfolded at a furious pace, fuelled by simmering tension after Liverpool’s drawn-out summer pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. The hosts made the brighter start, but the visitors struck first.

After withstanding a barrage of early pressure, Liverpool went ahead in the 35th minute. Ryan Gravenberch collected Cody Gakpo’s pass and unleashed a low shot that deflected off Fabian Schär before squeezing past goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Drama escalated in first-half stoppage time when Newcastle’s makeshift striker Anthony Gordon was shown a straight red card for a reckless lunge on Virgil van Dijk. Referee Simon Hooper’s decision was upheld following a VAR review, leaving the home side to play the entire second half with 10 men.

Any hopes of regrouping collapsed within seconds of the restart. Former Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike, who controversially chose Liverpool over the Magpies, calmly slotted in from another Gakpo assist to double the Reds’ advantage in the 46th minute.

At 2-0 down and reduced to 10 men, Newcastle appeared finished. But Eddie Howe’s team refused to buckle. In the 57th minute, captain Bruno Guimarães sparked the revival, arriving at the back post to head in Tino Livramento’s cross.

Liverpool suddenly lost composure under pressure, and St James’ Park erupted when substitute William Osula bundled home an equaliser in the 88th minute, capitalising on sloppy defending to make it 2-2.

With the champions rattled and Newcastle pushing for an improbable winner, the match seemed destined to end level. Then came Ngumoha’s unforgettable moment.

Deep into stoppage time, Mohamed Salah found space on the right and delivered a perfect ball into the area. Left unmarked, Ngumoha struck confidently, firing into the net in the 10th of 11 added minutes. The away end erupted as the teenager was mobbed by teammates, his name instantly etched into Liverpool folklore.

The victory preserved Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season and added another chapter to their long-running battles with Newcastle. For Howe’s side, however, the loss was gut-wrenching. They had fought their way back with resilience and passion, only to be undone by a player barely old enough to drive.

Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp hailed Ngumoha’s composure under pressure, while Newcastle fans left reflecting on Gordon’s costly dismissal and what might have been.

As records tumbled, one thing was clear: Rio Ngumoha’s last-gasp winner will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the season — a teenage star rising in the fiercest of arenas