Defending champions PSG were held to a 1-1 draw against Newcastle; Kvaratskhelia injured

Title holders Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United will both enter the play-off round of the Champions League after drawing 1-1 in their final match of the competition phase on Wednesday.

Ousmane Dembele had a fourth-minute penalty saved at the Parc des Princes, but Vitinha put PSG ahead shortly afterwards before Joe Willock equalized for Newcastle in first-half stoppage time.

It meant Newcastle finished with a solitary win in their last four European matches, while PSG have won none of the last three and just one of the last five – a far cry from the form that saw them win European champions last season.

Luis Enrique’s side had to make it through the knockout stages of the play-offs a year ago and will have to do so again as both teams finished outside the top eight, offering direct access to the last 16.

PSG finish eleventh with 14 points, while Newcastle are twelfth with the same number of points and goal difference, but fewer goals scored.

The play-off draw will take place on Friday, with PSG and Newcastle knowing they will face either Monaco or Qarabag.

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Newcastle coach Eddie Howe may have had one eye on the upcoming Premier League clash with Liverpool as Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and top scorer Harvey Barnes all started on the bench in the French capital.

Meanwhile, PSG coach Luis Enrique recalled Russian goalkeeper Matfei Safonov for what was the French side’s 12th match against Premier League opposition since the start of last season, and since a Champions League group stage double header against Newcastle at the end of 2023.

In that match in the 2023/24 season, Newcastle had secured a 4-1 win at St James’ Park and then drawn 1-1 in Paris, but were denied another win when Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty deep into stoppage time.

This time the penalty for PSG came right at the start of the match, when Lewis Miley from Newcastle was punished for a handball in the first minute.

The teenager couldn’t do much as the ball bounced on his arm, but Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic pointed to the spot after a VAR check.

This time, however, Newcastle were given a reprieve as Dembele’s penalty was kept out by Nick Pope.

Nevertheless, the Parisians took the lead in the seventh minute when Vitinha collected a pass from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the edge of the area before curling a low shot into the corner.

It was the fifth Champions League goal this season for the Portuguese playmaker, who scored a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in November.

Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi made his first appearance for PSG since early November after injury and then played for his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.

While his return is a huge boost, the France side suffered a blow midway through the first half when Georgian winger Kvaratskhelia was forced off after appearing to sprain his right ankle in a challenge with Anthony Elanga.

Newcastle looked no threat but drew level in first-half stoppage time with the kind of goal Premier League fans have become accustomed to this season.

A free-kick in the penalty area was not cleared by PSG skipper Marquinhos, allowing Dan Burn to nod the ball back for Willock to head home his first goal this season.

Both teams knew that a win would guarantee their presence in the top eight, while a draw could mean reaching the play-offs.

Neither opted for a gung-ho approach in the second half, although Newcastle became much more dangerous during the break following the introduction of both Gordon and Barnes from the bench.

The latter missed a glorious chance in the 88th minute and went wide from close range when a deflected Gordon cross came his way, leaving Newcastle facing a hectic fixture list in February.

Published on January 29, 2026