Paris Saint-Germain scraped into the Champions League final 16 on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund as Newcastle misplaced to AC Milan within the group’s different recreation.
In hazard of a primary group-stage exit because the Qatari takeover in 2011, PSG got here from a aim down to earn the purpose that despatched them via as Group F runners-up.
Dortmund secured high spot with Milan third, behind PSG on head-to-head aim distinction, and Newcastle ending backside.
Karim Adeyemi gave Dortmund the lead early within the second half, however teenager Warren Zaire-Emery equalised as PSG reached the knockout part for the twelfth season in a row of their newest bid for a maiden Champions League title.
Kylian Mbappe had the ball within the web late on, however VAR confirmed the France striker was narrowly offside.
“We’re happy but we know we could have done better,” Zaire-Emery informed broadcaster Canal Plus.
“We played well, but football is like that at times, sometimes the ball just doesn’t want to go in.”
Despite the consequence, PSG’s timid displaying means Luis Enrique’s aspect have loads to do if they need to go a lot additional on the European stage.
“We are still alive. No team will hope to play us in the next round,” mentioned PSG coach Luis Enrique.
Dortmund will keep away from a number of of the competitors favourites together with holders Manchester City and Real Madrid, each potential last-16 opponents for PSG, within the draw to be held on Monday.
“We’re far from the finished article,” PSG captain Marquinhos mentioned. “We’re going to have to prepare well and prepare better because bigger opponents are on the way.”
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Dortmund will play within the knockouts for the fifth time in six seasons, though they’ve solely reached the quarter-finals as soon as since 2017.
“Of course, you can’t play against a team like Paris without the opponent getting chances,” mentioned Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.
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‘A wild game’
The sides miraculously failed to rating in a blistering first half, with each lacking a number of large probabilities.
Dortmund knew they’d high the group by avoiding defeat, however roamed ahead, creating a number of probabilities but in addition leaving area for PSG’s speedy attackers.
Reus and Marius Wolf went shut early for the hosts till PSG roared to life, pinning Dortmund on the ropes however in some way failing to land a telling blow.
Lee Kang-in missed with the aim begging after only a quarter of an hour and Mbappe went even nearer only a minute later.
The 2018 World Cup winner rounded Gregor Kobel and shot goalwards earlier than a sliding Niklas Suele cleared the ball centimetres from the road.
PSG winger Bradley Barcola then curled in opposition to the submit, earlier than Randal Kolo Muani poked an effort when clear via on aim which dribbled agonisingly large.
Dortmund then missed some golden possibilities of their very own, with visiting goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma tipping away a fierce Reus drive earlier than Adeyemi blasted off track after the Italian stopper had parried Salih Ozcan’s strike.
PSG ahead Kolo Muani went shut once more however was denied by the legs of Dortmund goalkeeper Kobel.
With information filtering via of Newcastle’s lead at half-time, PSG ramped up their pursuit of the opening aim with Mats Hummels placing his physique on the road to deny Mbappe.
The residence aspect would nevertheless strike first, Niclas Fuellkrug laying on a splendid move for Adeyemi to roll within the opener.
With PSG watching elimination Mbappe put the staff on his again, dribbling down the left flank and shedding his marker, his squared ball deflected out to Zaire-Emery, who superior in the direction of aim earlier than blasting residence.
Mbappe regarded to have booked PSG’s ticket, scoring with simply over 10 minutes remaining, however the aim was chalked off by VAR for offside.
However, a degree proved to be sufficient for the French champions, as Newcastle misplaced 2-1 to Milan at St James’ Park when a victory for the Magpies would have taken them via at PSG’s expense.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
