In a nail-biting encounter, Paris St-Germain (PSG) managed to salvage a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United in a Champions League showdown that kept Group F on a knife edge. The match concluded with Kylian Mbappe’s nerve-racking penalty strike deep into stoppage time, leaving PSG still in charge of their fate but with a precarious grip.
Manager Luis Enrique expressed immense relief as Mbappe’s spot-kick levelled the scoreline, rescuing PSG from the brink of a stunning defeat against Newcastle United. The visitors had held on to their lead, courtesy of Alexander Isak’s goal, only to suffer heartbreak when a contentious handball decision against Tino Livramento granted PSG a lifeline through the penalty.
” The most important thing is to focus on ourselves. If we win, we’re going to finish first, but even if we lose, we can go through to the next phase,” emphasised Luis Enrique, highlighting the complexity of the group dynamics ahead of their crucial clash against Borussia Dortmund.
With PSG trailing three points behind the already-qualified Dortmund, their fate hangs in the balance. A win against Dortmund guarantees their spot in the last 16, but the intricacies of the group allow for varied outcomes, including progression even with a loss.
Despite their 31 goal attempts, Luis Enrique lamented missed opportunities, believing PSG deserved a victory. “I think we deserved to win, we created a lot of clear chances,” he remarked, reflecting on their dominance on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Newcastle, despite a sense of injustice after the penalty decision, remain resilient. Manager Eddie Howe remained optimistic about their chances against Milan in the final game, aiming to secure their passage to the last-16 in their return to the competition.
“We’re still in it… As much as it’s a huge, deflating feeling — it could be another story in our season,” Howe affirmed, highlighting Newcastle’s determination to make their mark in the tournament.
As the group stages reach a thrilling climax, the battle in Group F intensifies, promising an enthralling finale in the Champions League.
