PSG secures spot in Champions League knockout stage with thrilling group stage finale

Paris Saint-Germain narrowly escaped elimination from the Champions League group stage with a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. If Newcastle had beaten AC Milan in the other Group F match, the French champions would have been knocked out of the competition.

On September 19, 2019, in Getafe, Spain, John Obi Mikel of Trabzonspor is seen looking on during the UEFA Europa League group C match between Getafe CF and Trabzonspor at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)

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PSG was lucky when Newcastle lost their 1-0 lead and the Italian team scored a late goal, securing a 2-1 victory. This allowed Dortmund to advance as the group winner, with PSG as the runner-up. AC Milan moved down to the Europa League after finishing third, while Newcastle's European campaign ended in disappointment.

PSG's fate could have been drastically different as they were on the brink of being knocked out of the competition for much of the night.

Newcastle secured a first-half lead against the Rossoneri with Joelinton's powerful goal, increasing the pressure on PSG to secure a victory.

PSG had a strong start to the game in Dortmund but failed to take the lead due to a combination of missed opportunities and excellent defense. The first real chance of the night came from Kylian Mbappé, who managed to get past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in the 17th minute, only to have his shot cleared by defender Niklas Süle.

Bradley Barcola then hit the post before Randal Kolo Muani missed two glorious chances when through on goal.

Dortmund had chances as well in a frantic first half which somehow finished goalless.

Newcastle crashed out of Europe despite a spirited performance in this year's Champions League.

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The game took a turn shortly after the restart, as Dortmund seized the opportunity when PSG lost possession near their own goal. Karim Adeyemi scored in the 51st minute, putting PSG on the edge of Champions League elimination.

However, the hosts' lead was short-lived as PSG quickly found an equalizer just five minutes later when 17-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery scored past Kobel in goal. The Parisians received more good news when AC Milan's Christian Pulisic scored an equalizer against Newcastle, putting the French champions back in control.

In both games, Mbappé had a goal disallowed for offside and AC Milan staged a remarkable comeback with a winning goal from substitute Samuel Chukwueze in the 84th minute. Despite a lackluster group stage performance, PSG secured the final qualification spot as they continue to pursue their first Champions League title.

PSG and Dortmund will discover their next opponent when the round-of-16 draw takes place on December 18.