Newcastle United Secure Champions League Play-off Spot After PSG Draw

Newcastle United secured a Champions League knockout play-off spot with a 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain, yet missed automatic qualification for the last 16. Both clubs started the final league-phase matchday inside the top eight, but other results meant only a win would keep that position. Vitinha scored early, Joe Willock replied just before half-time, and neither side managed a decisive second goal.

The outcome left PSG and Newcastle outside the automatic places, so Newcastle now needed to negotiate a two-legged play-off against Monaco or Qarabag to make the last 16. Eddie Howe accepted the extra hurdle, stressing that performance mattered as much as the outcome against the holders, and that Newcastle carried belief and rhythm into the next

stage despite missing direct progress.

Howe underlined that Newcastle had aimed to avoid additional fixtures but accepted the scenario after the draw in Paris. "We wanted to win tonight, we didn't want the extra games, but we'll take it," Howe said. The head coach felt the display against PSG showed strong development in Europe, and gave confidence that Newcastle could handle the high-pressure play-off round.

The match at Parc des Princes unfolded with major drama from the opening minutes, starting with a penalty awarded against Lewis Miley. Nick Pope denied Ousmane Dembele from the spot after just three minutes and 49 seconds, registering the fourth-earliest penalty save in a Champions League match since 2003-04. That intervention kept Newcastle level before Vitinha’s precise strike gave PSG the lead soon after.

The penalty incident immediately drew comparisons with Newcastle’s previous visit to Paris, when a late handball call against Tino Livramento cost a famous away win. Once again, Newcastle felt a key handball decision went against them, while appeals for a similar offence by Marquinhos were rejected. Howe voiced displeasure with the lack of consistency and felt the early award shaped the contest’s opening spell.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the Newcastle head coach said: "There was a lot going on in that game that we had to deal with. Not just the opponents, who are an outstanding team, but decisions that went against us as wellnone more so than the handball. [It was] deja vu for us two years on. I couldn't believe it. I know Nick saved the penalty, but it created a feeling that contributed to the early stage of the game, where we were under pressure, and the lads did really well to see that out. I don't think it's a handball anyway for Lewis. It's clearly unintentional, it's hit the other player's arm first. A combination of things go against us there. And of course, if that is given then you want consistency the other way. That wasn't applied, but that's where I think we did really well. They're an outstanding team, so I don't think they need help from anybody. "

Newcastle United Champions League record and key statistics

Despite the frustration, Newcastle produced an assertive response after falling behind to Vitinha’s composed finish. Willock levelled with a powerful header right on half-time, and Newcastle later threatened a winner during an open second period. Over the 2023-24 campaign, Newcastle recorded a win and a draw against PSG, extending an unbeaten record in three Champions League meetings.

That sequence meant Newcastle became the only club to face PSG at least three times in the Champions League without losing. Howe also achieved a personal landmark, becoming the first manager to avoid defeat in the first three competition encounters with Luis Enrique. Those statistics added weight to Howe’s belief that Newcastle matched the holders over the league phase and earned their play-off place on performance.

"We went down that route in the best possible way with a great performance against the holders. There's a lot to be positive about. "

Into the #UCL knockout phase play-offs! pic.twitter.com/29QA6YeS8bNewcastle United (@NUFC) January 28, 2026

Newcastle now faced a decisive tie with either Monaco or Qarabag to reach the last 16, carrying both momentum and a sense of injustice from Paris. The draw against PSG confirmed their ability to compete with leading European sides, even in demanding situations, and set up a play-off in which Howe’s team entered with confidence and clear evidence of progress.