Key Takeaways:
- Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle concluded their group stage with a 1:1 draw, eliminating both from the Champions League top eight
- Vitinha opened the scoring for PSG in the 8th minute; Joe Willock equalised in stoppage time of the first half
- After all matches, PSG finished 11th with 14 points, while Newcastle landed 12th on the same points but with an inferior goal difference
Match Overview
In a high-stakes encounter during the final fixture of the Champions League main phase, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle played out a 1:1 draw. Both clubs required a victory to secure a place in the top eight, yet the stalemate condemned them to elimination from those coveted positions, forcing each to navigate the playoffs for a route into the round of 16.
A draw tonight in the @ChampionsLeague against Newcastle. #PSGNEW I #UCL pic.twitter.com/dUb4RqTYmG
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 28, 2026
Match Summary
The match began with immediate drama as a PSG attack inside the first minute led to a VAR review after Lewis Miley inadvertently handled the ball in the area. Referee Slavko Vinčić awarded a penalty, only for Ousmane Dembélé to be denied by Nick Pope’s impressive save.
Undeterred, PSG broke the deadlock in the 8th minute following incisive build-up play involving Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who set up Vitinha for a powerful finish low into the bottom-left corner. The home side continued piling on pressure, with Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia both testing Pope.
Newcastle, meanwhile, struggled to generate attacking momentum and registered their first and only shot on target of the half in stoppage time. Dan Burn flicked on a header, allowing Joe Willock to nod past Matvey Safonov, levelling the score at the interval.
| Team | Final Score | Goal Scorers | Final Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris Saint-Germain | 1 | Vitinha (8′) | 11th | 14 |
| Newcastle | 1 | Joe Willock (45+2′) | 12th | 14 |
Second-Half Developments
After the restart, Newcastle emerged with renewed intent. Jacob Ramsey unleashed a threatening effort in the 50th minute, but Safonov was equal to the task. Achraf Hakimi responded with a run at the opposite end, although his shot was blocked. Désiré Doué, brought on following Anthony Elanga’s booking and Kvaratskhelia’s substitution, fired off-target from a promising position.
Willock appeared to have completed his brace in the 57th minute, only for his strike to be ruled out for offside. PSG then wasted several meaningful opportunities, with Warren Zaïre-Emery shooting wide and Dembélé squandering chances in the 64th and 67th minutes, continuing his misfortune following the saved penalty.
Luis Enrique introduced Gonçalo Ramos in an effort to enliven PSG’s attack, while Anthony Gordon forced another good save from Safonov on a Newcastle counter.
Late Drama and Final Standings
As the match moved toward its conclusion, Vitinha nearly scored a second, his shot just clearing the bar in the 78th minute. Harvey Barnes twice threatened to snatch victory for Newcastle, sending one effort wide and rattling the post in the 88th minute. Dembélé also surged into the box before being forced into a corner.
Both teams pressed for a decisive winner in the closing minutes but were unable to find a breakthrough, and the contest finished 1:1. The result sealed 11th place for PSG and 12th for Newcastle, each on 14 points, but separated by goal difference.
Team News and Lineups
Achraf Hakimi made his return to the PSG starting eleven for the first time since November, following an injury break and representation of Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations. Paris saw further changes from their 1:0 win over Auxerre, with Matvey Safonov, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, and Ousmane Dembélé all starting.
Luis Enrique opted to bench Désiré Doué, Gonçalo Ramos, Illia Zabarnyi, and Lucas Hernandez, with Fabián Ruiz and Kang-In Lee absent through injury.
Newcastle deployed Nick Woltemade to lead the attack, supported by Joe Willock and Anthony Elanga on the flanks. Dan Burn and Jacob Ramsey joined the starting side, while Bruno Guimarães was held in reserve recovering from an ankle concern.
Other substitutes included Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, and Kieran Trippier. The visitors’ injury list continued to feature Fabian Schär, Valentino Livramento, and Joelinton.
