Newcastle were just minutes away from a famous 1-0 victory in Paris before a controversial penalty allowed Kylian Mbappe to equalise in the 98th minute.
It should have been a night for heroes as Eddie Howe’s warriors were robbed of famous European night. Newcastle were left ruing a 98th minute penalty decision against them after a VAR check which sparked the handball debate all over again.
Kylian Mbappe stepped up, smashed home from the spot after Newcastle’s Tino Livramento was adjudged to have handled Ousamane Dembele’s cross. The ball deflected up off Livramento’s body, onto his arm and referee Szymon Marciniak gave the penalty after going across to his screen.
It probably would not have been given in the Premier League, it looked so hard. However, UEFA rules are stricter on handball and that is what ultimately cost Newcastle a night of glory. They can still do it. They can still reach the Champions League knock-out stages.
Newcastle were up against the odds, in the Group of Death and facing a crippling injury list and yet they responded with a performance full of defiance. They were a dodgy injury time penalty away from arguably their greatest ever Champions League result. They have waited 20 years to get back in the competition and whatever happens now they can hold their heads up high.
Newcastle smashed PSG 4-1 at St James’s Park two months ago and pushed them all the way in the Parc des Princes to prove they belong in Europe’s elite competition. Newcastle keeper Nick Pope was heroic, producing sensational saves while Anthony Gordon ran his heart out and stretched the home side’s defence all night.
Livramento was magnificent and he was the last person who deserved the penalty to go against him. Spare a thought for Newcastle’s 17-year-old rookie Lewis Miley who was fantastic on his first ever Champions League night. What a start to his career. Miguel Almiron played the second half in obvious pain but refused to give up.
Newcastle started nervously but got better and deserved to go ahead after 24 minutes. Livramento danced across the face of the penalty box, Almiron’s low shot was horribly spilled by PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alexander Isak was on hand to tap in the rebound.
It looked like Newcastle had survived. And then heartbreak struck. It was so tough on Newcastle. They deserved more. We will be talking about the penalty and the handball for a long time after this. But ultimately, Newcastle will feel aggrieved not just because of the decision but because their performance deserved more.