Lamine Yamal hurts Newcastle hopes as Barcelona snatch draw with last kick

Newcastle’s first Champions League knockout tie on Tyneside arrived with rare intensity. Eddie Howe had little doubt it was the biggest game the club had ever played and the crowd responded with frayed nerves and fierce expectation. For long spells the home side were superior, their power and running causing Barcelona problems.

Harvey Barnes struck the post on 75 minutes and Joelinton’s follow-up was ruled out for offside, but Barnes ghosted on to Jacob Murphy’s cross later and finished unmarked to send the stadium into jubilation. That joy lasted only moments. Barcelona had offered little in the final third, but with time almost up Dani Olmo’s movement wrong-footed Malick Thiaw, who clipped him in the area.

Lamine Yamal converted the spot kick and the late equaliser dramatically altered the tone of the evening. The match carried a sense of history too: both clubs share a connection to Sir Bobby Robson and Newcastle’s memorable 3-2 win here in 1997 was recalled with Tino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie in attendance.

England, Tyneside

lamine yamal, newcastle, barcelona, champions league, harvey barnes, joelinton, jacob murphy, dani olmo, malick thiaw, spot kick