Deep into stoppage time, Kylian Mbappe scored a contentious penalty kick to help Paris Saint-Germain salvage a 1-1 draw and deny Newcastle United a historic victory at the Parc des Princes in Group F of the UEFA Champions League.
The Ligue 1 winners leveled the score in the 98th minute after a VAR intervention resulted in an unjustly given spot kick for a hand ball against Tino Lavramento. The Magpies appeared to be on the verge of a victory that would have put their destiny in their own hands.
In an attempt to exact revenge for their 4-1 loss at St. James’ Park earlier in the season, Luis Enrique’s team got off to a quick start, with Mbappe and Fabian Ruiz both coming close.
But the Magpies weathered the first storm and, in the twenty-fourth minute, after Gianluigi Donnarumma mishandled Miguel Almiron’s 20-yard attempt, Alexander Isak tucked in the rebound to hush the raucous home crowd.
Long stretches of frustration beset PSG, but when they did create an opening, Nick Pope’s haughty demeanor prevented them until the dramatic conclusion that cruelly deprived the visitors all three points.
Newcastle now has five points, third in Group F as a result of the outcome. With seven points, PSG is tied for second place with leaders Borussia Dortmund, who have advanced to the Round of 16. With a worse goal differential, AC Milan is in fourth place with five points.
Newcastle will now play their final Group F match at home against AC Milan on December 13 knowing that they will need Dortmund to pull a favor for them when they play PSG.