In what was a real Champions League controversy on Tuesday night, Newcastle suffered major European heartbreak as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against PSG in the French capital.
While the Magpies might have arrived in Paris dealing with a public injury crisis, Eddie Howe’s side took a shock lead midway through the first half as Alexander Isak tapped home from close range.
Putting in another gritty Champions League display here and with Nick Pope producing a string of wonderful stops after returning from the interval, it appeared that Newcastle were seconds away from springing another famous European upset.
However, Howe’s squad were rightfully left heartbroken in the dying seconds of injury-time as PSG were awarded a hugely controversial penalty when Tino Livramento was adjudged to have handled the ball.
With attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe calmly converting from the spot and notching his third Champions League strike of the season, the French heavyweights now find themselves sat in pole position to following Borussia Dortmund to the knockout stage.
In a pulsating affair from Paris on Tuesday night, we have taken a look at all of the key talking points.
Howe and Newcastle will be left furious
While Newcastle might have arrived in Paris without a host of first-team stars, the Magpies put in yet another rugged performance on the European stage.
Making major history on October 4th as they claimed a thumping 4-1 romp against PSG at St. James’ Park, Howe’s side couldn’t have got off to a better start as Isak tapped home midway through the first half.
However, arriving in the French capital knowing that defeat would officially bring an end to their knockout stage dreams, the former Bournemouth boss was rightfully left furious at the final whistle.
With the ball clearly hitting Livramento’s chest before deflecting off his arm in the dying seconds of injury-time, the Magpies will know just how costly that decision could be.
Currently sat third heading into their final Group F showdown, Newcastle will have a monumental amount of pressure on his shoulders as they welcome AC Milan to St. James’ Park on December 13th.
PSG drag themselves over the finish line
Hit with that infamous 4-1 drumming when they travelled to St. James’ Park last month, PSG had made it abundantly clear that they were desperate to make an immediate response here.
However, while Luis Enrique’s side might have been tipped as a leading contender to make a heavyweight statement here, the former Barcelona boss saw his squad put in another worrying European performance.
While the French icons might have claimed yet another Ligue 1 crown last season, it is no secret that the PSG hierarchy have Champions League success at the very top of their agenda.
Still yet to get their hands on a maiden European crown since their blockbuster takeover back in 2011, Tuesday’s hosts will be more than aware that they were fortunate to limp their way over the finish line here.
Still putting just seven points on the board from their five Group F showdowns this year, Enrique’s side will know that they can not afford another public slip-up when they meet a Borussia Dortmund squad that have already punched their knockout stage ticket.
Mbappe is the key to all of PSG’s potential success
Heading into the dying seconds of injury-time with their Champions League future hanging in the balance, all eyes were firmly set on PSG’s attacking talisman to drag them out of a European crisis.
While Enrique’s side might have been awarded with a hugely controversial last-gasp penalty, it almost seemed inevitable that Mbappe would keep his cool.
Although there might be continued speculation that the French icon will finally be leaving Paris in the summer, Mbappe has only continued on another stellar free-scoring purple patch this season.
Firing on all cylinders and with all of PSG’s Champions League dreams resting on his shoulders, the 24-year-old has now bagged 15 strikes in just his last 12 appearances for club and country.
Likewise, bagging his third Champions League strike of the season here and once again proving to be PSG’s hero in Paris, Mbappe has another leading role to play when Enriique’s men arrive in rural Germany on December 13th.
Match Report
PSG: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Skriniar, Danilo, Hernandez, Ruiz, Ugarte, Lee Kang-in, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe
Subs: Vitinha, Asensio, Barcola, Ramos
Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento, Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Subs: N/A
Goals: PSG: Mbappe (90+8’ P) Newcastle: Isak (24’)
Yellow Cards: PSG: Donnarumma, Skriniar, Ramos, Ugarte, Lee Kang-in, Dembele Newcastle: Joelinton, Almiron, Pope
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Szymon Marciniak
