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PSG snatch knockout stage spot with 1-1 draw at Dortmund – ARN News Centre
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Paris St Germain drew 1-1 at Group F winners Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to secure second place and a spot in the Champions League knockout stage in their final group match.
Both sides squandered a bagful of golden chances in a surprisingly goalless first half before Karim Adeyemi finally broke the deadlock for the already-qualified hosts in the 51st minute, slotting in off the post after PSG lost possession outside the box.
The visitors responded five minutes later, levelling through teenager Warren Zaire-Emery after good work from Kylian Mbappe, who also had an effort ruled offside in the 76th.
Zaire-Emery became the youngest ever French goalscorer in the Champions League at 17 years and 280 days.
Dortmund topped the group on 11 points with PSG in second place on eight, the same as third-placed AC Milan who will continue in the Europa League following their 2-1 win at Newcastle United, who picked up five points.
“The primary objective was to go after first place in the group but we have to remain realistic,” said PSG defender Marquinhos.
“It was important to qualify no matter what. From now until the next round, we are going to have to prepare well and prepare better because big opponents will be on the way.
“It was important for us to improve our performance away from home,” he said after his team lost their previous two away matches in the group.
The hosts had the early chances but PSG gradually found spaces and threatened with Lee Kang-in in the 16th minute and Mbappe’s effort which was cleared by Niklas Suele at the last moment a little later.
Bradley Barcola hit the post for the visitors with a superbly curled effort in the 20th and Randal Kolo Muani twice fired wide in one-on-ones with Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel.
The Germans had an equally low conversion rate, with Marco Reus’s volley from inside the box palmed wide by PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Adeyemi had an even easier task in front of an empty goal late in the first half but sent his effort over the bar.
The Germany forward made amends six minutes after the restart, turning in a Niclas Fuellkrug assist and piling more pressure on the visitors who were desperate to avoid an early exit from the competition.
They drew level with Zaire-Emery’s powerful shot and thought they had snatched a winner when Mbappe charged through to beat Kobel only to be ruled marginally offside following a VAR review.
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Tributes have poured in after the son of former Chelsea star Eddie Newton was found dead alongside his friend following a hike in the UAE, where temperatures soared to 50C.
Cassius Newton, 34, and his friend Aran Martinson, 33, were found by rescuers on July 18 after setting out on a hike in the mountainous Wadi Naqab region.
The pair, from Dorset and Essex respectively, both lived and worked in the UAE. Their bodies were discovered between 3km and 4km from their vehicle.
According to a report, Chelmsford area coroner Michelle Brown said their provisional causes of death included cardiac and respiratory arrest.
Cassius, a non-league footballer, was the son of former Chelsea midfielder and coach Eddie Newton, who spent more than a decade with the club.
His wife was in the UK when she became concerned after Cassius failed to contact her following the hike and reported him missing.
The two men had been living at a luxury resort in Ras Al Khaimah.
Tributes after desert tragedy
Tributes poured in after the deaths.
Aran’s wife described him as “incredibly driven, hardworking and ambitious”, saying he had recently begun a new chapter in his career and was excited about the future.
Blackfield & Langley Football Club paid tribute to their former player, saying: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of former player Cassius Newton; our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
National League club Eastleigh, where Cassius had previously played, said it was “deeply saddened” by his death.
Chelsea connection
Cassius’ father Eddie Newton played for Chelsea from 1990 to 2001 and famously scored in the club’s 1997 FA Cup final victory.
The former midfielder also represented Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Barnet.
After retiring as a player, Newton moved into coaching, working as assistant manager at MK Dons and West Brom before returning to Chelsea.
He later served as assistant manager under Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benítez.
(With inputs from BBC, The Sun)
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