In a shocking turn of events on Wednesday night, Newcastle United delivered a stunning 4-1 defeat to the French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League, leaving fans and pundits alike in awe of their performance. However, one player found himself under intense scrutiny as former footballer and pundit Craig Burley laid into the performance of PSG’s Kylian Mbappe.
The match, played at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, marked the club’s first Champions League home game in two decades, and they made it a night to remember. The atmosphere was electric, and PSG had no response to the relentless onslaught from the hosts.
The game got off to a blistering start, with Miguel Almirón of Newcastle scoring in the 17th minute. This early lead set the tone for the rest of the match, as PSG struggled to find their footing. The pressure continued to mount as Dan Burn headed home another goal for Newcastle, doubling their advantage before halftime.
The break did little to dampen the spirits of the home crowd, and Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff wasted no time, drilling a third goal past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the PSG goal just five minutes into the second half. The fans were over the moon, relishing every moment of their team’s resounding victory.
It was a night to celebrate for Newcastle fans, who have seen their fair share of ups and downs, including relegation in 2016. Dan Burn, now 31 years old, had once watched his beloved Newcastle in the Champions League two decades ago before being released from their academy. The likes of Elliot Anderson and Sean Longstaff, born and bred in Newcastle, have known nothing but loyalty to their hometown club. These players exemplify the heart and soul of the team, making the victory even sweeter.
However, amid the jubilation, one man found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Kylian Mbappe, PSG’s star player and one of the world’s most prominent football talents, had a forgettable night. Craig Burley, a former footballer turned pundit, didn’t hold back in his critique of Mbappe’s performance.
Burley’s analysis was sharp and to the point. He questioned Mbappe’s inability to make an impact on a crucial Champions League match and highlighted the stark contrast between his reputation and his performance on the pitch that evening. While the rest of the Newcastle team were firing on all cylinders, Mbappe failed to live up to the high expectations that come with his status as a superstar.
The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for PSG, who are no strangers to success and domination in Ligue 1. Burley’s critique serves as a reminder that even the brightest stars can have off nights, and the world of football is as unforgiving as it is exhilarating.
As the dust settles on this remarkable night in Newcastle, one thing is clear: it was a triumph for the underdogs and a humbling experience for the giants of PSG. While the city celebrated the heroes on the pitch, the performance of Kylian Mbappe will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion in the days to come, serving as a stark reminder that in football, anything can happen.
