Newcastle sit atop the vaunted Group of Death two games into their UEFA Champions League return, after Eddie Howe’s side were ruthless and clinical in an incredible 4-1 victory over PSG at St. James’ Park on Wednesday.
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The atmosphere inside St. James’ Park was exactly as you would expect — raucous and rowdy — on the night the Champions League returned to Tyneside, and the Magpies gave their fans plenty to celebrate as they raced out to a 2-0 lead before halftime.
Miguel Almiron opened the scoring after 17 minutes, bagging his first career Champions League goal with a fine left-footed finish guided past Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was a mistake by Marquinhos, who gave the ball away cheaply and completely unnecessarily from inside his own penalty area, that started the sequence. It fell to Alexander Isak, who quickly fired a shot on target, but Donnarumma got down quickly to make the save. The rebound spilled to Donnarumma’s left and Almiron arrived as the Italian scrambled back to his feet, unable to stop the follow-up.
PSG had all the possession they could want the rest of the way, but it was Newcastle who made the most of their minuscule share. The Parisiens found themselves scrambling to block crosses and head the ball away in the 39th minute, before Bruno Guimaraes found Dan Burn at the back post to double the Magpies’ lead.
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Five minutes into the second half, it was 3-0 as Kieran Trippier played Sean Longstaff into the penalty area, seemingly at too tight of an angle to threaten Donnarumma, but somehow the homegrown hero’s shot made its way under the ‘keeper and hit the back of the net.
PSG got a goal back through Lucas Hernandez in the 56th minute, but that’s as close as Luis Enrique’s side would get. The score remained 3-1 until stoppage time, when Fabian Schar unleashed a thunderbolt from all the way back home in Switzerland, putting the exclamation mark on a special night in Newcastle’s storied history.
Newcastle vs PSG final score: 4-1
Goalscorers: Miguel Almiron (17'), Dan Burn (39'), Sean Longstaff (50'), Lucas Hernandez (56'), Fabian Schar (90'
+1)
17th minute — GOAL — Miguel Almiron puts the rebound home after Alexander Isak denied
SUPER MIGGY!
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 4, 2023
ALMIRÓN SENDS ST. JAMES' PARK INTO A FRENZY! 💫 pic.twitter.com/5SH3VGNPER
39th minute — GOAL — Dan Burn heads home after a mad scramble in PSG’s penalty area
THE LOCAL LAD DOES IT!
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 4, 2023
DAN BURN SCORES NEWCASTLE'S SECOND GOAL AGAINST PSG. 👏 pic.twitter.com/5pEIVNdF70
50th minute — GOAL — Sean Longstaff beats Donnarumma to start the second half
HOMEGROWN SEAN LONGSTAFF FINDS NEWCASTLE'S THIRD GOAL AGAINST PSG. 💥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 4, 2023
The hometown heroes are delivering for their club. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/DanppemYvs
56th minute — GOAL — Lucas Hernandez flicks home PSG’s lifeline
Lucas Hernández with a lifeline for PSG. 👀 pic.twitter.com/rbsHjI2TuQ
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 4, 2023
91st minute — GOAL — Fabian Schar puts the exclamation mark on an unforgettable night
"ABSOLUTELY MAGISTERIAL FROM FABIAN SCHÄR"
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 4, 2023
Newcastle cap their #UCL home reunion off in style. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/oigCS6W8mD
Newcastle vs PSG: How to watch live, stream, updates
Date: Wednesday, October 4
Kick off: 3pm ET
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Newcastle starting lineup
⚫️ HOWAY NEWCASTLE! ⚪️#NEWPSG // #UCL pic.twitter.com/70HtENc2Ai
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 4, 2023
Focus on Newcastle
Ahead of this game Eddie Howe has been discussing the rapid rise of Newcastle. When he arrived over 18 months ago they were battling against relegation and now they’re facing PSG in the Champions League. Solid signings, a huge improvement in the players who were already there and a massive rise in optimum levels among fans has built up incredible momentum at Newcastle and St James’ Park is one of the toughest places in Europe to play. PSG will find that out on Wednesday. Injury wise, Callum Wilson and Joelinton are both big doubts and Sven Botman is definitely ruled out but Sandro Tonali is fit. Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock remain out.
PSG starting lineup
Le 1️⃣1️⃣ de départ parisien pour cette soirée de @ChampionsLeague. ✨#NEWPSG I #UCL pic.twitter.com/SZTxkmQCeM
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) October 4, 2023
Focus on PSG
Luis Enrique’s PSG are very different to their previous teams and although Mbappe is still leading the charge, there is a more collaborative approach to help him out. Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos was a big addition in the summer, while Manuel Ugarte has been a revelation in central midfield and Milan Skriniar and Lucas Hernandez have been key additions in defense. Another couple of new signings, Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani, will also offer plenty in attack as PSG may have lost Messi and Neymar this summer but they actually look a lot better for it. In injury news, Marco Asensio and Nuno Mendes are out.