Eight days after losing against the run of play in Lisbon against Sporting (2-1), Paris Saint-Germain returned to the Champions League, this time at the Parc des Princes, for a clash with Newcastle on Matchday 8, the final game of the league stage. At kick-off, the Parisians and the Magpies were ranked 6th and 7th respectively and were looking for a win that would see them qualify directly for the last 16.
The match got off to a flying start, with Bradley Barcola bursting into the English penalty area at full speed and winning a penalty early on. But Ousmane Dembélé was denied by Nick Pope, who dived the right way (4'). Les Rouge et Bleu did not let the missed opportunity get to them though, taking the lead a few minutes later when Vitinha opened the scoring with a subtle strike from 18 metres out (1-0, 8').
Paris had a number of chances, but Nick Pope kept his side in the game each time (11', 13'), while Willian Pacho missed the target (38'). Just before half-time, Paris were punished again from a free kick from the centre circle, which seemed harmless but which Joe Willock managed to take advantage of to bring the Magpies level (1-1, 45+2').
After the break, the two teams traded blows in a highly competitive second half. As the minutes ticked by, Luis Enrique's men once again started to dominate their opponents, but attempts from Warren Zaïre-Emery (59'), Bradley Barcola (60') and Ousmane Dembélé (64') all missed the target.
Newcastle grew into the game and managed to create some dangerous chances in the final quarter of an hour, notably through Harvey Barnes, who was denied by Matvey Safonov (86') before missing the target (88'). But the last chance of the match fell to Paris and Ousmane Dembélé, who tried his luck with a powerful shot, but without success (90+3').
At the end of a hard-fought match that went down to the wire, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle drew 1-1. The capital club ends the league phase in 10th place, just ahead of their opponents on the night, and will have to go through the play-offs in February. In the next round, the Parisians will face either Monaco or Qarabağ.
