A controversial late penalty from Kylian Mbappe denied Newcastle United a first away Champions League win in two decades at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.
Alexander Isak had fired the Magpies ahead in the first half at the Parc des Princes after Gianluigi Donnarumma had spilled Miguel Almiron’s shot. And Eddie Howe’s side looked good value for their win after turning in a terrific, determined defensive display at the home of the French champions – until Tino Livramento was harshly penalised for a handball deep into second-half stoppage time.
After a VAR check, in which referee Szymon Marciniak consulted the pitchside monitor, the spot-kick was given and converted by Mbappe at the death, leaving United devastated – but still firmly in contention for qualification from Group F.
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The hosts were quick out of the traps in the French capital. Lee Kang-in miscued a volley and Fabian Ruiz volleyed the loose ball over the bar as PSG fired an early warning. They could have gone ahead soon after when Mbappé backheeled Achraf Hakimi’s low cross goalwards, but Nick Pope did well to react and prevent the opener with his feet.
Livramento was the unfortunate party, adjudged to have handled when a cross struck his torso before catching his arm. After a VAR check, referee Marciniak – who took charge of both last season’s Champions League final and the 2022 World Cup final – went to the pitchside monitor and awarded a penalty, which Mbappé fired home in the 98th minute to break United’s hearts in the city of love.