Champions League: Newcastle hold PSG in France

Paris Saint-Germain could not secure maximum points that would have given them an automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16 against Newcastle United, as they were held to 1-1 at the Parc de Princes Stadium.

The defending champions needed a win to avoid a two-legged playoff, but Luis Enrique’s Melton would have to go through that route if they want to progress to the next round of the competition, which they won for the first time last season. 

The Ligue 1 giant needed just eight minutes to go ahead in the home fixture through Vitinha, only to be pegged back when Joe Willock drew level for the visitors before half-time.

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia made use of the space and moved the ball up around halfway and glided forward under little pressure to square the ball for Vitinha, who also had the space picked his spot and stylishly beat Nick Pope. 

Marquinhos got punished for nodding the ball from deep into the air, which came down, and Dan Burn’s headed cross finds Joe Willock, who heads past Matvey Safonov to level matters.

The result left the Paris club in the 11th spot while Newcastle finished 12th with the same number of points, as they finished with a goal difference of one less than PSG.

Both teams are therefore knocked out of the top eight, meaning they will both face a two-legged play-off for a place in the last-16.

This is an additional fixture for both clubs that would have avoided it with performance on the pitch.

PSG have been struggling with form with many injuries on their table. They conceded a goal that eventually became an important one for the Magpies, who were barely in this game before that.

Both teams will now move their attention to their domestic leagues as the Champions League round of 16 games, which are being held in March. Play-offs are to be played before then. 

Having secured a playoff spot, Newcastle will have to pass another acid test when they travel to Anfield for a Premier League clash against Liverpool.