Newcastle United put on a show in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Saitama Stadium 2002, defeating Urawa Reds, 4-1, as the J.League International Series 2024 powered by docomo continued with yet another terrific evening of football.

It didn’t take long for the Magpies to get on the scoresheet as Alexander Isak scored in the third minute. The Sweden international took on several Urawa defenders by himself, dribbling through a couple before losing the ball, immediately retrieving it, and blasting it into the back of the net from 20 yards.

The Newcastle faithful, who sang and cheered all game, erupted for Isak’s brilliant goal as the Premier League side demonstrated their quality from the opening whistle.

But the Reds would storm back soon enough, with Rio Nitta getting the home side level in the 23rd minute. Yusuke Matsuo broke down the left before spotting Nitta’s run to the front of goal and delivered a perfect pass. Nitta just had to redirect it on goal, which he did, hitting the back of the net and sending the Urawa fans to their feet in jubilation.

The home side kept the pressure up and had a chance to take the lead when Hirokazu Ishihara earned a penalty after being taken down following a clever run. When the referee pointed to the spot, the Reds were a spot kick away from the lead, but goalkeeper Nick Pope made a fabulous diving save to keep the match level.

The Reds put Pope to the test again not long after when Nitta took the ball off a defender to put himself in on goal, but the Magpies shot-stopper got down to make another fine save.

Urawa goalkeeper Ayumi Niekawa had a standout moment of his own, reaching high to deny Isak a second as both goalkeepers had highlights in the first half.

Newcastle would regain the lead just before the break, though, as Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy linked up. Willock created a turnover and bypassed one defender before feeding Murphy for the finish that gave the English side a lead at the break.

Murphy would double his tally and the NUFC advantage just two minutes into the second half with a clinical curling effort that gave Urawa a mountain to climb.

The hosts were not deterred by the two-goal deficit, though, and nearly got one back shortly thereafter; however, once again, Pope was up to the task, turning away a powerful drive from Ryoma Watanabe to preserve the Magpies’ advantage.

Newcastle added one more goal in the 58th minute thanks to a long-range shot from Lewis Hall that took a deflection on the way into the back of the net.

Urawa fans did not get the chance to cheer another goal in the game, but they did have one more reason to rise out of their seats and give a standing ovation. Forward Shinzo Koroki, who announced earlier in the week his intention to retire at the end of the 2024 J.League season, turned 38 on matchday and supporters across the stadium gave him a round of applause and a moment to remember.

In the end, though, this was Newcastle's day. They were splendid, took their chances, and delighted their supporters in attendance — though Reds fans knew that if Pope wasn’t so extraordinary, they likely could have been right there with one of England’s most historic clubs.

The Japan International Series 2024 powered by docomo delivered a phenomenal night, and there are still two more to go in Hiroshima and at the National Stadium in Tokyo, so be sure to get your tickets HERE.