Lamine Yamal’s late penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Barcelona against Newcastle at St James’ Park, marking the game’s final kick.
Harvey Barnes had given Newcastle a strong chance for victory with his strike in the 86th minute, but a late foul by Malick Thiaw on Dani Olmo allowed Barcelona to equalize with just seconds left.
Yamal confidently converted the penalty, sending Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way, granting Barcelona a crucial advantage in the last-16 matchup before they host the second leg in Spain next week.
Despite the draw, Newcastle had been the more dominant team for much of the match.
Will Osula almost provided the hosts with an ideal start after being set up by Lewis Hall in the sixth minute, but he hesitated and had his shot blocked by Gerard Martin.
Yamal’s attempt at goal was skillfully deflected into the side-netting by Ramsdale as Barcelona began to assert themselves, yet it was Newcastle who continued to pose a greater threat, with Osula heading just over from Anthony Elanga’s cross.
After halftime, Robert Lewandowski narrowly missed connecting with Raphinha’s cross, while Barnes’ shot hit the crossbar, resulting in a disallowed goal from Joelinton due to offside. In the late stages, Barnes capitalized on a cross from Jacob Murphy to score, but Yamal’s penalty in stoppage time left Newcastle heartbroken.
