Unlikely Heroes: Newcastle Shocks PSG in Champions League Victory, Shattering Kylian Mbappe's Dreams

Unlikely heroes have Newcastle dreaming

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Sean Longstaff celebrates after scoring the third goal against PSG

Newcastle had a phenomenal and truly remarkable night that is difficult to put into words. "I'm at a loss for words," expressed Sean Longstaff, the scorer of their third goal. And it's understandable why.

There were concerns about Longstaff's future when the Saudis assumed control, instantly revolutionizing the club's financial strength. Yet, here he stands, two years later, as one of two Newcastle supporters from birth, alongside defender Dan Burn, not only participating but also scoring in a momentous victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Manager Eddie Howe's incredible work is evident in the identities of their scorers. Unlike the wealth-rich Newcastle, this team is not comprised of superstars. It is worth mentioning that not long ago, Miguel Almiron was considered a punchline, while Fabian Schar was a mere £3m purchase made during Rafael Benitez's tenure.

Nevertheless, these players played a pivotal role in Newcastle's qualification for the Champions League last season. Thus, it was fitting that they took the center stage on Wednesday night at a jubilant St James' Park. Their remarkable performance truly announced their arrival in the competition.

Newcastle were missing some important players, including Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, and Joelinton due to injuries. However, their absence did not have an impact. It was actually Kylian Mbappe and his teammates who seemed overwhelmed by the situation, as they were dominated by the Newcastle players wearing black-and-white shirts.

After the match, Howe praised his team's "spirit and energy," but it was difficult for him to fully describe what he had witnessed. He mentioned that there were countless stories to share. These stories will be cherished by Newcastle's fans, including Longstaff and Burn, for many years to come.

Mbappe misery sums up PSG's challenge

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PSG's Kylian Mbappe reacts as his side were humbled at Newcastle

PSG revamped their transfer strategy this summer in their ongoing pursuit to dominate European football. Instead of pursuing high-profile signings like Lionel Messi and Neymar, they opted for a younger, French squad. As a result, they invested substantial funds in players such as Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Randal Kolo Muani, and Lucas Hernandez. However, Newcastle's home-grown squad effortlessly surpassed them, demonstrating that PSG is still far from exhibiting the necessary determination to mount a significant challenge.

In a squad that has undergone significant changes, Kylian Mbappe remains one of the few constant figures. His performance at Newcastle served as a prime example of why PSG have faced difficulties in winning trophies at this caliber for an extended period.

When the goals were being scored by Newcastle, Mbappe's body language hinted at his desire to be elsewhere – an understandable sentiment considering the recent transfer dramas surrounding him.

That individualistic mood is not the message PSG is aiming to convey in this new era - rather, Luis Enrique's main challenge this season lies in striking a balance between harnessing Mbappe's talents and overseeing this young revolution.

'Amazing' Lewis shows huge promise for City

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Rico Lewis impressed for Man City in Leipzig

The presence of Rodri, who is currently serving a domestic ban, brought a noticeable calm that was missing in his absence in Saturday's defeat at Wolves.

However, it was Rico Lewis, partnering with him in the midfield, who stood out with his relentless pursuit of regaining possession and powerful runs.

Praising his remarkable performance as the player of the match, Pep Guardiola exclaimed, "Incredible! He is an exceptional, extraordinary player. Throughout my years as a manager, it has been challenging to find someone who moves so fluidly like him. And he is just 18 years old. He is truly a phenomenal player."

Lewis had City's initial promising chance after executing a skillful turn within the penalty area, but unfortunately, his shot was unsuccessful due to a block. Throughout the match, he demonstrated consistent presence and active participation. City's first goal resulted from another attack sparked by Lewis, ultimately concluded by Phil Foden, highlighting the contribution from Manchester.

In achieving this feat at the age of 18 years and 317 days, Lewis broke the record as City's youngest player to deliver an assist in the Champions League. This remarkable achievement also marked his inaugural assist for the club in a total of 29 appearances across all competitions.

At 1-1, Erling Haaland came extremely close to making a decisive goal just before it eventually happened, all thanks to Lewis' delightful five-yard pass. Following two consecutive defeats, doubts had started to arise concerning City's squad depth, but what followed was a resounding response.Ben Grounds

Mistakes cost Celtic again

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The Celtic players, filled with despair, collapsed to the ground following Lazio's last-minute winning goal. With only two games played, the impact of Pedro Rodriguez's late strike seems to extend beyond denying Celtic a point; it has the potential to shatter their aspirations of remaining in this competition beyond the Christmas period.

Celtic truly deserved to emerge victorious from the match. However, it is undoubtedly disheartening for Brendan Rodgers and his team to conclude the game without any tangible rewards, considering their commendable performance. Celtic showcased their prowess by scoring a remarkable goal and, despite momentarily losing ground following Lazio's equalizer, they successfully regained dominance and territorial advantage in the second half.

In the 10 minutes leading up to Luis Palma's disallowed goal, they maintained excellent possession and dominated the game for a significant portion of the second half.

At this level, ruthlessness is crucial, and both teams must take advantage of their advantageous positions and eliminate errors. Unfortunately, Celtic's Achilles heel lies in their consistent creation of problems for themselves in European competitions.

Liam Scales managed to escape punishment for two major mistakes in the first half, but Cameron Carter-Vickers was not as lucky as he was involved in the build-up to the decisive goal. With this in mind, the Europa League may now be the Scottish team's most promising chance of participating in European football in the upcoming year. Alison Conroy and Mark Benstead.