Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England — Kylian Mbappé trudged off the field at the end of Paris Saint-Germain’s humiliating 4-1 defeat against Newcastle United in the Champions League. As he walked away with a thunderous expression, St. James’ Park erupted in celebration, marking a 20-year wait to host such a momentous occasion.
The 2023-24 Champions League season is still in its early stages, and the fate of both Newcastle and PSG in Group F is far from determined. However, the atmosphere surrounding the two teams couldn’t be more different.
Newcastle is relishing their first Champions League campaign since 2002-03 and currently occupies the top spot in the group after dismantling PSG in their first home game. Their victory follows a hard-earned point in a 0-0 draw against AC Milan two weeks ago. On the other hand, PSG, who triumphed over Borussia Dortmund in their opening match, appear anything but capable of winning a competition that has long consumed their Qatari owners.
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The ownership of both teams and the transformative power of Middle Eastern money have been subjects of much speculation. While Qatar has financed PSG for over a decade, the club is still yet to clinch their first Champions League title. In contrast, Newcastle has swiftly returned to the competition following the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s takeover in 2021.
The contrasting approaches taken by the ownership groups were evident on this raucous night at St. James’ Park. PSG has pursued superstars, shattering financial records to acquire players like Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi. These signings have garnered headlines, but neither Neymar nor Messi have delivered Champions League glory, leaving the burden on Mbappé’s shoulders.
Against Newcastle, the 24-year-old Mbappé made little impact and appeared frustrated as his teammates were outplayed and outmatched. Once again, PSG resembled a group of individuals assembled to support a superstar.
Newcastle, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Under the leadership of Eddie Howe, they have painstakingly constructed a team capable of thriving in the Champions League, devoid of superstars. Since the Saudi takeover in 2021, players such as Alexander Isak, Nick Pope, Anthony Gordon, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, and Dan Burn have been added to the squad, all known for their teamwork.
Their unity was on full display on this night at St. James’ Park, one of England’s most vibrant stadiums. The passionate supporters propelled the team forward, contrasting with PSG’s half-hearted and sluggish performance. Newcastle possessed the drive and determination that PSG lacked.
While it would be challenging to argue that many of Newcastle’s players possessed more individual skill or talent than their PSG counterparts, collectively, they were worthy of their 4-1 victory.
Furthermore, the fact that Burn and Sean Longstaff were on the scoresheet spoke volumes about Howe’s team-building strategy. Both players are local talents, with Burn rejoining his hometown club from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022. Seeing a Geordie, someone born and raised in the area, don the black and white stripes means everything to Newcastle fans.
Former Newcastle chairman Sir John Hall, who rescued the club from financial ruin in the 1990s, once expressed his desire to witness a “team of Geordies,” referring to the disproportionate number of top-flight players from the region, including England internationals Michael Carrick, Alan Shearer, Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne, and Peter Beardsley. While this dream may never materialize in the modern era of global scouting networks, Burn, Longstaff, and substitute Elliot Anderson all hail from Newcastle, bringing a local heartbeat to the team.
Howe has successfully blended local talent with international stars, resulting in a team with a distinctive character, a quality PSG lacks.
From the moment Miguel Almirón put Newcastle ahead in the 17th minute, it was evident that PSG would struggle to mount a comeback. Newcastle outmatched them, and Burn extended the lead to 2-0 in the 42nd minute with a towering header. After a lengthy VAR review to determine if Guimarães had crossed the ball while in an offside position, the goal stood. Longstaff added a third on the 50th minute with an angled shot. Although Lucas Hernández reduced the deficit with a header on the 56th minute, PSG coach Luis Enrique must have been concerned about the game slipping away. Newcastle, however, held their ground and sealed their victory with a 20-yard strike from Fabian Schär on the 90th minute.
Achieving success in the Champions League group stage requires winning home games and securing a few points on the road. With a draw at San Siro and a win against one of the tournament favorites at home, Newcastle is well on their way to the knockout stages.
While PSG will likely progress as well, their prospects beyond that are uncertain. Newcastle’s team ethos and the electric atmosphere at St. James’ Park could propel them deep into the competition.
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