Paris Saint‑Germain were held to a 1‑1 draw by Newcastle United at the Parc des Princes on 28 January 2026, leaving both clubs level on nine points in Group F of the 2025‑26 UEFA Champions League. Icardi opened the scoring, while Joe Willock equalised, and the result keeps PSG top on goal difference.
Early Dominance and First Goal
The match began with PSG controlling possession, their attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembélé probing Newcastle’s compact defence. In the 23rd minute, a quick one‑two between Mbappé and Messi released veteran forward Mauro Icardi, who slotted a low‑driven finish past keeper Nick Pope after a brief VAR check.
Newcastle’s Equaliser and Key Moments
Newcastle responded swiftly. Midfielder Joe Willock’s relentless runs forced a foul just outside the box in the 38th minute, leading to a penalty. Pope saved the spot‑kick, and the rebound fell to Willock, who calmly tapped the ball home to level the score. The equaliser sparked a roar from the travelling Magpies supporters.
Tactical Shifts in the Second Half
Both managers adjusted their setups. Eddie Howe introduced winger Alexander Isak to stretch the PSG defence, while Thomas Tuchel, now in charge of PSG, switched to a pragmatic 4‑2‑3‑1, pulling Messi deeper to dictate play. PSG pressed for a winner, with Mbappé creating chances on the left, but Newcastle’s centre‑back Dan Burn made a crucial tackle to deny a clear‑cut opportunity.
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Late drama unfolded when a Messi corner found Presnel Kimpembe’s head, only for Willock to clear the danger off the line. Pope’s fingertip save from a Dembélé drive in the 89th minute preserved the draw.
Group F Implications
The 1‑1 result leaves PSG and Newcastle both on nine points after their last two group fixtures. PSG retain the top spot on goal difference (+5 versus Newcastle’s +3) and remain unbeaten, while Newcastle secure a historic point against the reigning French champions and keep a realistic chance of finishing second.
Player Performances and Statistics
- Joe Willock (Newcastle): 78 minutes, 1 goal, 2 key passes, 3 tackles.
- Nick Pope (Newcastle): 5 crucial saves, including the penalty stop.
- Kylian Mbappé (PSG): 2 shots on target, 1 assist, 5 dribbles.
- Lionel Messi (PSG): 3 key passes, 1 corner, 1 shot.
Both teams posted similar possession (PSG 54%, Newcastle 46%) and total passes (PSG 642, Newcastle 587). Newcastle’s higher pass accuracy (84% vs. 78%) and greater number of interceptions (22 vs. 15) were decisive.
Looking Ahead to the Final Group Matches
PSG travel to Leipzig on 5 February, where a win would cement their top‑seed status and allow squad rotation for domestic commitments. Newcastle host Red Bull Leipzig later that month; a victory would secure second place and a favorable round‑of‑16 draw, while a loss could drop them to third and into the Europa League.
