What a night in the Champions League.
It had everything except the victory that Eddie Howe and his team so well earned for their work, commitment, and skill levels.
Newcastle United, the better team in the first half, were forced to defend for the overwhelming majority of the second half, but were doing it admirably, until the match officials conspired to hand PSG the draw in the dying moments of this thrilling contest.
It is what it is in the cold light of day (well, this rather gloomy morning (in more ways than one!!) on Tyneside), and there is no point in wailing like Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans for weeks on end.
Especially when Newcastle United’s Champions League dream is far from over.
Tuesday’s Group F matches ended with PSG 1 Newcastle 1 and AC Milan 1 Borussia Dortmund 3, leaving the table as follows:
The sixth and final round of group matches will be played on Wednesday 13 December, with Newcastle v AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund v PSG deciding the final placings.
These are the possibilities for Newcastle United in the Champions League / Europe now:
Win Group F and qualify for Champions League last 16
Obviously this is now no longer an option for Newcastle United. It is between the top two in the group and Dortmund have to just avoid defeat to guarantee top spot.
For Newcastle United to end up second and stay in the Champions League, the equation is simple.
Newcastle need to win at home against AC Milan and also Dortmund avoid defeat at home to PSG.
Finish third in Group F and qualify for Europa League play-offs
Another simple equation.
If PSG win at Dortmund, then Newcastle need to just avoid defeat at home to AC Milan to guarantee Europa League play-off participation in February 2024.
Finish fourth in Group F and concentrate on domestic competitions
Whatever happens in the Dortmund v PSG match, if Newcastle lose to AC Milan then the NUFC European adventure is over for this season.
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