The 2023-24 season saw Newcastle United enter the Champions League for the first time in decades, much to their delight however they were drawn into what can only be described as the Group of Death. Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund. What a welcome back to Europe eh?
Well, their first game in the competition was a 0-0 draw at the San Siro, they got quite lucky here as AC Milan couldn’t finish any of their big chances, so when the French Champions travelled to St. James’ Park for the second Champions League game week, many people expected PSG to walk through the Magpies, well how wrong they were.
Newcastle demolished French champions
The Magpies were the better side from the start, and they took the lead in the 17th minute through Miguel Almirón. The Paraguayan forward curled a beautiful shot into the far corner after being set up by Alexander Isak. St. James Park went wild and the football world was put on notice. Newcastle doubled their lead six minutes before half-time through Dan Burn.
The central defender headed home from a corner kick to send the St James’ Park crowd into raptures. PSG improved in the second half, but they were still unable to match Newcastle’s intensity and energy. The Magpies added a third goal in the 50th minute through Sean Longstaff, who drilled a shot into the bottom corner from outside the box. They say the crowd is the 12th man and I can 100% agree that this was the case here!
PSG pulled a goal back in the 56th minute through Lucas Hernandez, but Newcastle restored their three-goal lead in the 90th minute through Fabian Schar. The Swiss defender scored a stunning goal from 25 yards out, a lovely one-two between him and Murphy before he puts his right foot through it finding the top corner, slipping in the process but the fact he finds the net is all that matters.
Newcastle could have scored even more goals in the closing stages, but they were content to see out the game and secure a memorable victory. Eddie Howe’s side now top Group F in the Champions League, and they will be confident of qualifying for the knockout stages. This victory is a sign of the progress that Newcastle have made under Howe, and it is a testament to the ambition of the club’s new owners.
Of course, we’re only 2 game weeks into this Champions League campaign and Newcastle still have to travel to the Parc des Princes to play PSG in the return fixture they also have two games to play against Borussia Dortmund including a game in front of the yellow wall in the Signal Iduna Park, There’s a long way to go and there’s every chance that this incredible display over PSG could’ve been carried by the feeling of the occasion and the atmosphere inside of St James’ Park, there’s also the potential that Newcastle could get ahead of themselves after that result having them slip up in their upcoming games
Up next for Newcastle?
Newcastle host Borussia Dortmund in their next game on the 25th of October in what is going to be a massive game with momentum fully on their side. Dortmund have currently got a 0-1-1 record in their group after a 2-0 loss away in Paris and a 0-0 draw at home against Milan. So Dortmund will be looking to upset the apple cart here and topple the group leaders, but M’Bappe and PSG will be looking to make a statement at home against Milan.
This group is going to get spicy in the coming weeks, there is a lot of football still to play! Will Newcastle qualify for the knockouts? Will they end up slipping into a Europa League spot? Only time will tell, but here’s a question for Newcastle fans. Answer honestly, how are we feeling? Is this as much a shock to you as it is to most of the footballing world or did you expect a win? Remember, answer honestly!
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