Newcastle United’s Champions League run
Newcastle being back in the Champions League after 20 years was a dream come true for the black and white army, a dream which was unfortunately cut short. However, being in the competition again and beating teams like PSG showed the world that Newcastle United is a worthy competitor to be in the major European tournament.
The Magpies Champions League run was arguably the most difficult of the group stages, coming up against teams such as AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and PSG. Just from the name draw alone, people questioned if Newcastle would even win a game against one of these big teams. There was some concern for the Magpie’s chances as they had been riddled with injuries throughout the Premier League season and were far from being the strongest squad that they could be.
The first test of the tournament was in the San Siro against AC Milan, no easy challenge for visitors. The Toon Army was in full force supporting their team, seeing them play Champions League football for the first time since Alan Shearer was in the tournament with them back in 2002/2003. The game itself was of a high intensity right from the start as neither team wanted to lose the first game in the group stage. Great defending from both teams and goalkeepers meant that the game ended in a 0-0 draw, giving both teams one point on the board.
Next up for Newcastle were French giants PSG, who were coming into the tournament with a reputation of poor form. With the game being played at St James Park the odds were in the Magpie’s favour.
As the first Champions League game in St James Park kicked off after 20 years, Newcastle were already laying on the pressure against the Parisians. Within the first twenty minutes, Paraguayan winger Miguel Almiron scored the first goal of the game, causing the stadium to erupt. A monumental moment for the team. A couple of minutes later, local Geordie, Dan Burn, scored the second goal of the match making it 2-0 to Newcastle going into halftime. After the break had finished PSG had a few goal attempts, but Nick Pope was having a masterclass performance and pulled off some crucial saves. Newcastle then had another chance at goal in the 50th minute as Sean Longstaff was pacing forward with the ball and managed to give the Magpies their third goal of the game. However, in the 56th minute, Lucas Hernández scored a header, giving PSG a lifeline as the score now sat at 3-1 with thirty minutes left to play. During the closing stages of the game, Mbappé and Dembele both had chances to score and equalise but they both missed. It was looking good for Newcastle but it was about to get even better as centre-back Fabian Schär scored an absolute worldie in added time, cementing Newcastle as the match winners as they beat PSG 4-1. A massive win for Eddie Howe’s side, which was reminiscent of the 3-2 win over Barcelona back in 1997. This win also meant that Newcastle United sat at the top of the group stage table. Could Newcastle make it through to the knockout stages?
The following two games were against the German side Borussia Dortmund. Coming off of a major win and sitting at the top of the group table, Newcastle looked ready to tackle the Germans and get another win under their belt. However, Dortmund aren't a team to be underestimated. They controlled the first game between the two sides scoring an early goal in the opening thirty minutes and then managing the game well until they scored their second goal in the 80th minute, winning the game 2-0 against the Magpies. In the second leg between Dortmund and Newcastle, they were to play at St James Park again.
Newcastle have a reputation of being difficult to face at home and after seeing the game between them and PSG, could Dortmund hold their own?
Throughout the game, it was very evenly matched as both teams had an equal amount of shots at each other's net. Newcastle was controlling possession well but couldn't seem to find any chances to take the lead. Dortmund however, managed to find the opening goal in added time of the first half, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime. The second half saw a stalemate between the two sides as no other goal was scored meaning the Germans had beaten Newcastle in both legs and now sat at the top of the table whilst the Magpies slid down to third.
Going into the last two games Newcastle’s hopes for a knockout round placement were looking bleak as they had to face PSG and AC Milan for a second time. They were to play PSG again next in Paris, meaning they no longer had a home advantage.
As kick-off began for the penultimate game in the group stages, the entire ninety minutes of the game looked controlled by Newcastle. They maintained consistent possession and their defensive line was looking impenetrable, with Nick Pope having another brilliant performance. The Magpies had some chances of their own to score and during the 25th minute Swedish International, Alexander Isak took the lead after a brilliantly struck goal flew past the PSG goalkeeper. As the clock ran down to the end of the game the score was 1-0 to Newcastle and they looked like they were going to get another win over the Paris team and solidify themselves a knockout position. However, it just wasn't meant to be for the Toon army, as a highly controversial decision by the referee saw PSG get a penalty in added time after an alleged Newcastle handball. Kylian Mbappé scored the penalty meaning the game ended 1-1 and both teams went home with one point each.
Hope was now running low for the black and white army as a knockout place was close to impossible. For a chance to get to the knockouts or even a spot in the Europa League, Newcastle needed to beat AC Milan and Dortmund needed to beat PSG. Having drawn to the Milan team previously it was looking to be a closely matched game between the two again and with Dortmund previously losing to PSG it looked as if PSG would get another win against the Germans.
The final game of the group stages had begun and Newcastle came out swinging as they grasped for the little string of hope they had left. It was a back-and-forth first half as both teams had chances to score, but it was Brazilian centre midfielder Joelinton who scored the first goal of the game for Newcastle. A 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break meant Newcastle still had a chance, as PSG and Dortmund were also level going into the break.
The second half began and this time it was AC Milan who came out on the strong foot as only ten minutes into the second half, Christian Pulisic scored, levelling the game for Milan.
Clinging on, the Magpies had to defend hard as AC Milan kept laying on the pressure but it was too much for the Geordie side as an 89th-minute goal from Samuel Chukwueze gave Ac Milan the lead and inevitably the win, wiping out Newcastle’s hopes for a spot in the knockouts. With PSG and Dortmund tying one all it meant Newcastle’s Champions League run ended with them at the bottom of the groups table.
Despite the result, Newcastle can be proud of what they achieved in the competition, winning 4-1 over PSG is a highlight that won’t be forgotten in a hurry, as well as brilliant defensive performances in other games. For a team who was close to relegation from Premier League football not too long ago, to make it into the Champions League and showing why they deserve to be there, proves why Newcastle United are a team worthy of a place in European competitions in the future.