PSG 1-1 Newcastle: VAR robs heroic Toon of historic win - An utter disgrace

We were 90 seconds away from one of THE most heroic wins in the club's history, only for a scandalous VAR decision to cost us dearly.

After an incredible effort, Alexander Isak's first-half strike and superb performances from all 11 players on the pitch, the referee handed Kylian Mbappe a 98th-minute penalty, despite the ball hitting Tino Livramento's chest before it rebounded off his arm.

The point for PSG means it's in their hands heading into the final round of group games, with them facing a Borussia Dortmund side who've already qualified after they beat Milan 3-1 at the San Siro.

We can still qualify, but need to beat Milan and hope PSG fail to win at Dortmund in two weeks time. We're still in it and Europa League football will be ours if we beat AC, but it's an utter disgrace that such a poor decision could cost us so, so dearly.

Howe stuck by the side that beat Chelsea 4-1 on Saturday. He didn't have many other options, summed up by a bench that included four teenagers, two goalkeepers and Paul Dummett, but it was incredible to see 17-year-old Geordie Lewis Miley makes his first Champions League start in midfield. After his superb display over the weekend, he deserved it.

It was an outstanding first half display, where we thoroughly deserved our 1-0 lead. Ruiz fired over early on and Mbappe's flicked effort was well blocked by Pope, but we too spurned a clear chance to take the lead as Isak couldn't keep his first-time effort down after superb work from Almiron; who was relentless both on and off the ball.

Our big moment came from Isak, yet it was Livramento who we had to thank. His driving run saw him beat five in navy blue before Almiron's effort was parried by Donnarumma and slammed home by our club-record signing.

We had to survive a few more scares, as Pope got down low to stop Dembele's effort and Schar stood tall to block a goal-bound shot from point-blank range just before the break, but we were superb from back to front. We were winning our duels in midfield, looked slick, positive and progressive in possession, forced PSG into errors as we pressed from the front and defended admirably.

Trippier was razor sharp against Mbappe, Livramento was unstoppable at both ends, mixing incredible pace and drive with quick-tinking. Miley looked composed once again and made a big block to stop Lee Kang's effort and Lascelles also played a key role with a couple of huge headers.

The worry heading into the second half was whether we could keep this up. Replicating those levels of pressing, discipline and concentration would be tough physically and mentally given the lack of options on our bench, but we gave ourselves a massive platform to build on.

PSG were struggling to break us down after the break, until Pope did superbly to rush out and smother Dembele. We were now sitting deep and relying on the odd counter. We weren't looking after the ball quite as well, with the odd loose pass allowing PSG to catch us when we weren't set, but Gordon was causing havoc and drawing fouls; one of which put Skriniar in the book for a blatant trip.

A double change followed from the home side and Miley made another key interception to cut out Lee Kang's cross. Moments after, PSG's biggest chance of the match arrived. Barcola looked certain to score after Mbappe's cut-back, only for Pope to pull off an extraordinary save, making himself big to deny the Frenchman what looked a certain goal.

They were starting to get some joy and you sensed we were beginning to tire, but we remained 1-0 up with 20 minutes to play, with a penalty appeal waved away after Hakimi went down under Gordon's challenge. A mammoth effort was needed and another five minutes passed, with Pope's starting position superb to gather a dangerous ball in behind for Mbappe. Once again, a key intervention from our big man between the sticks.

Time had never passed so slowly as we nudged past the 80-minute mark and we had Dembele to thank soon after, as his near-post effort was skewed wide following pressure from Schar. Almiron went down from sheer exhaustion, but he was able to continue as PSG took off centre-back Danilo to bring on former Toon target Goncalo Ramos.

Mbappe was denied not once but twice with three minutes to go, with one whacked straight at Pope and the other flashing inches past the far post. We were out on our feet and barely getting a kick, then eight minutes of added time were signalled before Barcola blasted over at the back post from Hakimi's cross.

Then, with just two minutes left, VAR asked the referee to take a second look as the ball rebounded off Livramento's hand. Replays showed it hit his chest first, but that was seemingly ignored, the penalty was given and Mbappe smashed home. Newcastle robbed of a historic win and a result that suddenly takes qualification for the last 16 out of our hands.

Proud of the lads, but utterly dejected by the state of refereeing once again. Let's hope that doesn't cost us and Dortmund do us a big favour in a fortnight.

Here's the permutations heading into the final round of Group F fixtures in two weeks time:

• We'll come 2nd if we win and PSG don't win (a PSG draw sees us pip them on the H2H record)
• We'll come 3rd if we win and PSG win
• We'll come 3rd if we draw
• We'll come 4th if we lose

STARTING XI: Pope – Trippier, Lascelles (C), Schar, Livramento – Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon. 

SUBS: Dubravka, Karius, Dummett, Hall, Huntley, Ndiweni, Parkinson.