Miguel Almiron features in first half for Magpies in Spain
Saturday 16 February 2019 16:39, UK
Newcastle could only manage a 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow in their friendly on the south coast of Spain.
Rafael Benitez's side have spent the week enjoying some warm-weather training after their early FA Cup exit and arranged a fixture with the Russian side.
Benitez sent out a strong 11 for the first half, including club-record signing Miguel Almiron, and took the lead on 16 minutes through Salomon Rondon.
The striker controlled Deandre Yedlin's cross and fired the ball into the bottom corner, beyond the outstretched arm of Igor Akinfeev.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Newcastle went into the break level as former Hull striker Abel Hernandez poked home for CSKA, after Karl Darlow had denied Fyodor Chalov.
Benitez made 11 changes at the break, giving nearly all of his first-team squad a run-out, but neither side could find a winner in windy conditions.
Joselu saw an effort cleared off the line and Yoshinori Muto could only fire his effort straight at the 'keeper as CSKA held on for a draw.
Newcastle return to Premier League action next weekend when they host bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon.
