(Football news) With five points apiece, the Magpies and Rossoneri are tied in the Group F standings. However, both teams still need other outcomes to go their way if they want to continue dining at Europe’s finest table for a little while longer.

When Newcastle faced Paris Saint-Germain two weeks ago, the great VAR debate was reignited. Thanks to a goal from Alexander Isak in the first half, the Magpies were on the verge of what may have been their most famous continental victory in history. 

But in injury time, after the ball bounced off Tino Livramento’s leg and onto his elbow, referee Szymon Marciniak saw it appropriate to award PSG a last-gasp penalties, which Kylian Mbappe converted to deprive the Magpies all three points in the most cruel and contentious of circumstances.

The third-placed hosts are not without hope, though, as Newcastle still has a better head-to-head record against PSG, who are only two points ahead. A win on Wednesday combined with Les Parisiens’ inability to overcome an already-qualified Borussia Dortmund would guarantee Eddie Howe’s team a spot in the round.

A lack of choices seems to have caught up to Howe’s club at the worst possible time, even if they have persevered through their abundance of injuries. Any other outcome would either drop the Magpies down to Europa League football or send them packing from the continent entirely.

In fact, Newcastle has lost its last two Premier League games against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur by an overall score of 7-1, but those matches did not occur at St James’ Park, where the home team has won eight of Newcastle’s previous nine games across all competitions.

Also read: PSG will play Dortmund in UCL