Nick Pope and injury-hit Newcastle United earned a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday to keep their hopes alive in the UEFA Champions League group of death, but it will feel it was robbed of a win.
Pope made six saves and PSG missed several big chances as a Newcastle side missing 11 first teamers rode an Alexander Isak goal to a huge win in France, but a stoppage-time handball sent PSG to the spot
[ MORE: Champions League group stage tables in full ]
Eddie Howe’s side sat bottom of Group F thanks to a pair of losses to Borussia Dortmund, but sweeping PSG puts them within sight of the knockout rounds heading into a home finale versus Christian Pulisic and AC Milan.
PSG and Kylian Mbappe were looking to avenge their 4-1 hammering at Newcastle but instead are in danger of missing out on the knockout rounds
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Mbappe saves himself blushes as VAR awards controversial penalty
If the discussions around VAR in England haven’t been lively enough, the stoppage-time penalty awarded to Paris Saint-Germain will fire around the echo chamber with vigor.
And for good reason.
A ball into the box bounded up off the body of Newcastle defender Tino Livramento and then hit his elbow, and was initially not given as a penalty by the referee.
[ MORE: Eddie Howe reacts to stoppage-time penalty ]
But referee Szymon Marciniak was called to the pitchside monitor and apparently deemed the handball to be intentional. Kylian Mbappe solved Nick Pope, and the Newcastle drops from top of the group to third.
With Dortmund on 10 points and PSG on seven, the Magpies will need to win and get a PSG loss to Dortmund in order to reach the knockout rounds. A win or a draw will keep them above AC Milan and send the Magpies into Europe.
Pope, Isak give Eddie Howe a career-affirming evening
Nick Pope vs Paris Saint-Germain NBCSPORTS (fotmob.com)
Nick Pope vs Paris Saint-Germain NBCSPORTS (fotmob.com)
Remember when we’d ask what ‘bright young Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe could do with a better team?’
No more need to ask that one, yeah?
Howe’s battered Magpies were without 11 players including imperious center back Sven Botman, suspended hard man Sandro Tonali, clinical finisher Callum Wilson, and local heroes Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn.
And what did he do? Hung tight with Paris Saint-Germain and deserved every bit of the point earned by his black and white army.
Isak missed an early chance but buried his second after some crazy work from Livramento, and Nick Pope was sensational.
What’s next?
PSG goes to Le Havre in Ligue 1 play on Sunday before hosting Nantes on Dec. 9 and finishing its group stage at Dortmund on Dec. 13.
Newcastle hosts Manchester United at 3pm ET Saturday, then goes to Everton and Tottenham before entertaining AC Milan on Dec. 13.
PSG vs Newcastle final score: 1-1
Goal: Isak (25'), Mbappe (pen 90'+8)
Alexander Isak goal: Tino Livramento dazzles in buildup
Ex-Saints and Chelsea man Valentino Livramento has done something special here, and it’ll be remembered by Newcastle fans thanks to a funny bounce and a rare Gigi Donnarumma error.
Livramento goes left to right with a mazey dribble and the ball winds up with Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron, whose blast bounces right before it gets to Donnarumma. Alexander Isak is there for a rebound and makes the most of his second close-range effort of the night.
1-0, Magpies alive!
Gianluigi Donnarumma spills the shot and Alexander Isak accepts the gift!
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 28, 2023
That dribble in the build up by Tino Livramento though. 😳
Are Newcastle going to do it again to PSG? 👀 pic.twitter.com/GmIWygvbVV
How to watch PSG vs Newcastle live, stream, start time live updates
Date: Tuesday, November 28
Kick off: 3pm ET
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
PSG lineup
#PSGNEW I #UCL ✨ pic.twitter.com/90lJ4w9zeQ
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) November 28, 2023
Newcastle lineup
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! 💪#PSGNEW // #NUFC pic.twitter.com/qIOL3FQSms
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 28, 2023
Focus on PSG, team news
PSG have a few big players out injured with talented young midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery missing after suffering an ankle injury. Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Presnel Kimpembe and Keylor Navas all remain out so Enrique is down to the bare bones in defense. Going forward, PSG have so many options and it is all about getting the right balance as Les Parisiens will have plenty of the ball and have to stay patient.
Focus on Newcastle, team news
Newcastle have a whole host of injury issues (look at the list below) and Howe will be forced to probably start with the same lineup which beat Chelsea at the weekend. Can that same lineup play with high intensity and energy away at PSG? It is likely Newcastle will sit in deep and defend like they did away at Milan in the 0-0 draw they picked up in their Group F opener.
OUT: Harvey Barnes (foot), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Sven Botman (knee), Callum Wilson (thigh), Dan Burn (back), Matt Targett (thigh), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Javi Manquillo (groin), Joe Willock (Achilles)