Newcastle United Edge Paris Saint-Germain In 1-1 Draw To Secure Champions League Playoff Momentum

Newcastle United secured a Champions League play-off place with a 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain, yet both clubs dropped out of the automatic last-16 spots. Vitinha struck first for PSG before Joe Willock equalised, leaving neither side able to claim the win needed to stay in the top eight.

The point means Newcastle United now face a Champions League knockout phase play-off against Monaco or Qarabag to reach the last 16. They had entered Wednesday’s final league-phase match in position for direct qualification, but other results moved against them, turning victory in Paris into the only route to stay there.

PSG, as Champions League holders, started strongly and went ahead through Vitinha’s early finish after Nick Pope had already saved an Ousmane

Dembele penalty. Willock levelled with a header right on half-time, and Newcastle United then created late chances, suggesting a win in this Champions League fixture was within reach.

Eddie Howe accepted the extra Champions League fixtures yet highlighted the level of performance from Newcastle United against PSG. "We wanted to win tonight, we didn't want the extra games, but we'll take it," Howe said. Howe felt the team left the Parc des Princes with belief for the coming play-off tie.

Newcastle United now have a curious Champions League record against PSG. After one win and one draw in the 2023-24 group stage, this result means Newcastle are the only club to meet PSG at least three times in the competition without losing, while Howe remains unbeaten in three meetings with Luis Enrique.

Howe also set a personal Champions League marker, becoming the first manager to avoid defeat in an opening trio of encounters with Luis Enrique. That statistic adds to Newcastle United’s confidence heading into the Champions League play-off, even though they finished outside the top eight and must negotiate another two-legged tie.

The opening stages in Paris were shaped by an early penalty award against Lewis Miley for handball, which Pope saved from Dembele after three minutes and 49 seconds. That stop was the fourth-earliest penalty save recorded in a Champions League match since the 2003-04 season, underlining its influence on the contest’s momentum.

The incident echoed Newcastle United’s previous Champions League visit to PSG, when a late handball decision against Tino Livramento cost victory. On this occasion, Howe felt the first-half award again harmed his side. Newcastle United then appealed for a similar offence by Marquinhos, but the officials rejected those calls, which increased frustration.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the Newcastle head coach detailed the pressure around those key calls against PSG. "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. "

Howe stressed that, despite those moments, Newcastle United produced a high-level display against the Champions League holders. He felt the performance, the response to setbacks and the unbeaten record versus PSG provide clear positives before the play-off round, even if the route to the last 16 now becomes longer and more demanding.

"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. " That outlook reflects Newcastle United’s view that the draw in Paris, the resilience after early pressure and the ongoing Champions League record versus PSG give real momentum entering February’s play-off.

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