Champions League: PSG held by Newcastle and forced into play-offs

Paris Saint-Germain will have to take the long road once again. Held to a 1–1 draw by Newcastle at the Parc des Princes on the final matchday, Luis Enrique’s side missed out on a top-eight finish in the Champions League league phase and will now contest the play-offs, where Monaco or Qarabağ await.

Early dominance, missed opportunity

Needing a victory to secure direct qualification for the round of 16, PSG started at full throttle. Inside two minutes, Bradley Barcola won a penalty after a handball in the box, but Ousmane Dembélé saw his spot-kick saved by Nick Pope, an early warning that the evening would not be straightforward.

Paris quickly regained control, monopolising possession and pinning Newcastle back. The breakthrough arrived in the 8th minute when Vitinha capped a superb counter-attack, calmly feinting before placing his finish beyond Pope to give PSG a deserved lead.

With Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery and João Neves dictating the tempo, Paris created several chances, Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia going close, while Barcola remained a constant threat. However, the hosts failed to kill the game off – a recurring issue on the night.

Newcastle strike before the break

Against the run of play, Newcastle found an equaliser just before half-time. A free-kick was flicked on at the near post before Joe Willock rose to head past Matvey Safonov on the stroke of the interval (45’), silencing the Parc des Princes and swinging momentum back towards the visitors.

At the break, PSG still sat inside the top eight, but the margins were tightening rapidly elsewhere.

Late tension and sliding standings

The second half followed a similar pattern: Paris dominated the ball but struggled for efficiency, while Newcastle threatened on the counter through Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes. Safonov was required to make two key saves late on, while Marquinhos produced a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny Jacob Ramsey.

As goals went in across Europe, PSG’s live ranking fluctuated dramatically. Despite sustained pressure and late efforts from Dembélé, Vitinha and Ramos, the breakthrough never came. When the final whistle blew, Paris had slipped out of the top eight due to unfavourable results elsewhere.

Play-offs await

The 1–1 draw condemns PSG to the Champions League play-offs for a second consecutive season. Luis Enrique’s side will face either Monaco or Qarabağ in a two-legged tie for a place in the last 16 – a scenario Paris had hoped to avoid after lifting the trophy last season.