On Wednesday, PSG and Porto qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, while Newcastle exited the competition after losing 2-1 at home to AC Milan.
After Milan came from behind to beat Newcastle at St James’ Park and eliminate Eddie Howe’s side, PSG drew 1-1 away to Group F winners Borussia Dortmund to advance as runners-up.
Newcastle, who needed to win and PSG to lose to keep their first Champions League campaign in 20 years alive, took the lead in the first half thanks to a brilliant Joelinton strike.
However, Christian Pulisic equalized on the hour mark, and substitute Samuel Chukwueze broke Newcastle’s hearts with an 84th-minute winner, but it wasn’t enough for Milan to leapfrog PSI.
‘I couldn’t ask for anything more.’
“We gave everything we had to the game.” I couldn’t ask for more (in terms of) dedication, effort, and physical exertion. “Unfortunately, it was not to be,” Howe said.
Karim Adeyemi scored early in the second half in Germany to put the French champions in danger of their first group-stage exit since the Qatari takeover in 2011.
Five minutes later, Warren Zaire-Emery came to PSG’s rescue after Kylian Mbappe weaved into the box, his pass deflected out to the teenager, who advanced towards goal before slamming home a powerful shot.
Mbappe, whose PSG future will be decided in January, had an effort ruled out for offside, but the point was enough for the visitors, who finished level on points with Milan but advanced due to a better goal difference.
“We’re far from the finished article,” said PSG captain Marquinhos. “We’re going to have to prepare well and prepare better because bigger opponents are on the way.”
Porto’s knockout lineup is complete.
Porto advanced to the last 16 at the expense of Shakhtar Donetsk, who they defeated 5-3.
Porto needed only to avoid defeat at the Estadio do Dragao to advance from Group H with Barcelona, and an early Galeno goal put the hosts ahead.
Danylo Sikan pulled Shakhtar level, but Galeno scored again before Mehdi Taremi made it 3-1.
An own goal gave Shakhtar hope, but 40-year-old Pepe calmed Porto’s nerves with his team’s fourth goal, and Francisco Conceicao then put the game to bed, with Eguinaldo scoring a late consolation.
Manchester City continues to march.
With a 3-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade, Manchester City became only the second English club to win all six Champions League group stage games.
Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb, both 20, scored their first goals for the club before Hwang In-beam equalized for the Serbian champions.
Kalvin Phillips scored his first City goal with a late penalty, while Aleksandar Katai scored a late consolation for Red Star.
Defending champions City had already secured top spot in Group G, ahead of RB Leipzig, who defeated Switzerland’s Young Boys 2-1 at home.
In a frantic five-minute spell in the second half, Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Emil Forsberg scored either side of Ebrima Colley’s equalizer.
Atletico Madrid won Group E with a 2-0 victory over Lazio, thanks to goals from Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lino.
Celtic ended a 15-game winless streak in the group stage with a 2-1 victory over Feyenoord thanks to Gustaf Lagerbielke’s late header.
Luis Palma’s first-half penalty put the Scots ahead, but Yankuba Minteh leveled with eight minutes remaining to end their barren run.
Leave a Reply