Overwhelming possession of the ball and creating chances do not always decide games. It happened yesterday to PSG, which bordered on tragedy at the Parc des Princes, where they were losing 0-1 against Newcastle until, already in stoppage time, a penalty converted by Mbappé gave them hope to continue fighting in the Champions League. . In the so-called group of death, Parisians are still alive, but with maximum suffering.
The match began with clear dominance by the locals, who easily found space on the right wing thanks to Achraf and Dembélé. Thus, several scoring opportunities came, the clearest from Mbappé, in the 9th minute, who finished off in the middle of the race, with his heel, but Pope rejected it. The Parisian number 7 perhaps had too much virtuosity. Just three minutes later, after a mistake by Donnarumma and Achraf, Isak had a good chance, but he shot wide. PSG dominated and Newcastle looked comfortable and threatening on the counterattack.
Newcastle’s goal came in the 24th minute after a good transversal attack by Livramento, Messi-like, from left to right, with a pass to Almiron, who shot on goal. Donnarumma rejected the ball badly, at the feet of Isak, who beat it at will. Too easy.
The visitor’s goal was followed by a somewhat rough phase of the match. It was difficult for PSG to regain control after the psychological blow. Luis Enrique’s men tried in the final minutes of the first half to score the goal that would allow them to go into the break more composed, and Dembélé was close to a shot from the penalty spot, but they couldn’t do it.
The second half began with more balance than the first and an expectant, nervous Parc des Princes, where the only ones who provided a bit of atmosphere were the ultras of the Auteuil curve and the 2,000 fans who had come from England to support their magpies , Newcastle’s nickname). Mbappé, until then quite discreet, missed a clear chance in the 55th minute. In the 65th, Mbappé again made a good play on the right, with several dribbles inside the area, a pass to Barcola and a miraculous save by Pope, who was not in vain is synonymous with pontiff.
The atmosphere became heated when the locals claimed a penalty from Gordon on Achraf and then a handball from the English defense. PSG created constant danger, but the ball stubbornly did not go in. Luis Enrique brought in Asensio for Lee and Ramos for Danilo. Newcastle limited themselves to bailing out the ball and defending the result tooth and nail. Finally, after a big fight and the VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty for handball by the English defense. Mbappé relieved a fan almost transfigured by drama.
