Late Kylian Mbappe Penalty Denies Visitors Win 

Kylian Mbappe scored a contentious late penalty, denying Newcastle a notable victory at Parc des Princes, with the 1-1 draw keeping the visitors in contention for the Champions League knockout stages.

The penalty decision came after a VAR review, with referee Szymon Marciniak consulting the pitchside monitor and ruling that Tino Livramento had handled the ball while blocking a cross.

Newcastle, led by Eddie Howe, had been on track for an impressive win after Aleksander Isak’s first-half goal from Miguel Almiron’s rebound. Despite determined defending and a superb save by Nick Pope, who denied Bradley Barcola and a subsequent Mbappe rebound, Newcastle’s resilience crumbled in stoppage time when PSG was awarded the controversial penalty, duly converted by Mbappe.

The result places Newcastle in third in Group F, two points behind second-placed PSG. To advance, Howe’s side must defeat AC Milan in their final group match and rely on already qualified Borussia Dortmund securing a result against PSG.

Newcastle displayed remarkable fight and bravery despite an injury-depleted squad, with two goalkeepers on the bench and four teenagers named.

The visitors, within seconds of a remarkable Champions League return, defended tenaciously and had moments of luck, but the late penalty decision denied them control over their destiny in the competition.

By BBC Sports