PSG 1-1 Newcastle: Report, result and goals as holders forced into playoff
The Magpies were outstanding in Paris.
Newcastle United produced an outstanding away performance to hold Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes, a result that means both they and PSG will enter the playoff round of the competition.
The Magpies travelled to the Parc des Princes knowing an upset win would be enough to secure a place in the top eight of the league phase table and automatic progression to the last 16.
Despite Nick Pope saving an early Ousmane Dembele penalty, it looked as if that would be a tall order for a much-changed Newcastle, whose ailing captain Bruno Guimaraes was on the bench along with talismen Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon, when Vitinha fired PSG into an eighth-minute lead.
But Newcastle’s response to going behind was magnificent and, after Joe Willock headed them level in first-half stoppage time, it was Eddie Howe’s team who had the better of the chances to claim all three points.
Despite arguably their best away performance of the season, Newcastle must now play two extra games to get through to the last 16, a fate that also awaits PSG.
PSG finish 11th in the league phase table, above Newcastle on goals scored. They will be paired together in Friday’s draw for the playoff round, with Monaco and Qarabag their possible opponents over a two-legged tie next month.
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PSG start fast despite Pope save
Having been held to a 1-1 draw after a highly contentious late penalty on their previous visit to PSG two seasons ago, it was a case of deja vu for Newcastle as the hosts received a spot kick following their first attack, Lewis Miley penalised for handball after a VAR pitchside review.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic pointed to the spot despite the replay indicating the ball had deflected onto Lewis Miley’s hand off the arm of Bradley Barcola.
But Pope sprung to Newcastle’s rescue, denying Dembele with a brilliant save down low to his left.
Yet there was nothing Pope could do to keep out a trademark effort from the edge of the area from Vitinha, who found the same corner Dembele had aimed for with a superb finish from Kvicha Kvaratskhelia’s lay-off.
It looked like Newcastle might be blown away after Pope produced another fine stop to thwart Dembele again, though PSG’s hopes were hit by an injury to Kvaratskheila following a challenge with Anthony Elanga, the Georgia star replaced by Desire Doue.
Newcastle respond through Willock
Miley and Elanga each had half chances for Newcastle before Willian Pacho blazed over a brilliant opportunity for PSG, a miss for which they were made to pay.
PSG were undone in startlingly simple fashion, a long ball forward from a free-kick flicked into the path of Dan Burn, whose header back across goal was met by the onrushing Willock to nod Newcastle level.
Luis Enrique’s men never rediscovered their fluent best thereafter and were fortunate to see the offside flag raised against Willock after he put the ball in the net for a second time, though Dembele spurned a pair of second-half opportunities to restore their advantage.
As the game edged towards its conclusion, it was Newcastle who looked the more likely to find a winner, with PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov increasingly nervy.
Magpies miss late chances
Substitute Anthony Gordon drew an unconvincing save with a long-range effort and, after the impressive Jacob Ramsey had a shot deflected behind by a crucial Marquinhos block, Sandro Tonali fired over from the resulting corner.
PSG remained a threat even as they laboured to break down an excellently organised Newcastle side, Vitinha curling narrowly over the crossbar, but it was Barnes who will feel like he should have scored the winner.
Barnes was first denied by a strong from Safonov, and he could then only fire off-balance into the side-netting after more brilliant work from Gordon had teed him up at the far post. Despite a superb showing, it was another night where Newcastle were left wondering what might have been in Paris.