Newcastle fans were warned about pre-match pickpockets in the area surrounding the Parc Des Princes but it was a robbery inside the stadium deep into added time that left black and white followers bereft on Tuesday night.

Deep into a highly dubious eight minutes of second half added time, the most disgraceful penalty award against Tino Livramento was prompted by VAR and rubber-stamped by match referee Szymon Marciniak - despite the ball clearly hitting the Magpie defender's chest before flicking his arm. 

An event never given as a spot-kick in the Premier League and in clear conflict with UEFA's published guidance went the way of the hosts; the 2022 World Cup Final referee given one slowmo and one still image to base his decision on with no passage of play, no rock back and forward and the time spent in front of the pitchside monitor amounting to barely ten seconds. Window dressing, quite simply.

The VAR collaborator was subsequently removed from Champions League duty the following evening - a tacit admission of guilt by his employers, but of no solace whatsoever to the Magpies. 

The reward for one of the greatest battling, rearguard displays on record was to be cheated out of earning three deserved points - the visitors barely able to stand by the final whistle after playing through with no substitutions, rather than resort to a part-filled bench of goalies and green horns.

Eleven Magpie heroes gave their all for the 100+ minutes only to be denied by a decision that would have had Mikel Arteta in absolute apoplexy. Eddie Howe somehow kept his dignity in post-match interviews but was obviously seething. 

Alongside an absence of TV tantrums from the manager, there was no statement from his employers over a decision favouring one Qatari-owned, UEFA-favoured club and potentially costing one Saudi-backed club millions in terms of the revenue and exposure uplift prompted by qualification for the last 16. The stakes are a bit higher than when Trelford Mills and Uriah Rennie were at it.... 

Despite the fury of the final few minutes - somehow eight were added on by the officials - what preceded it was staggering; Nick Pope making world class stops, the defence putting everything on the line, midfield working tirelessly and a clearly not fully fit Alexander Isak tucking away his chance.

Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento were stylish and assured (the latter at left back), captain Jamaal Lascelles was a rock, Fabian Schar blocked and tackled and Kieran Trippier was simply superb.

Joelinton was a colossus, Anthony Gordon hassled and harried and Miggy Almiron ran his heart out chasing down the opposition and drawing fouls to give his side much-needed breathers.

And last but not least was the man in the middle - Bruno Guimaraes - who pulled the strings and kept his head under severe provocation.

An outstanding collective display was all the more worthy by the fact that just eight of the 14 players on duty for the 4-1 home win over PSG featured tonight. That already seems a lifetime ago; Tonali now suspended, goalscorers Burn and Longstaff and all three substitutes used - Anderson, Murphy and Targett crocked. It's more medicine sans frontieres then jeux sans frontieres.....

The hosts attacked from the first whistle and put United under severe pressure but poor finishing, heroic defending and some stunning saves prevented the free-scoring French from finding the net; Mbappe's needless flick in front of goal early on the pick of them - hit it properly and it's 1-0.

At the other end meanwhile Alexander Isak shaved the bar before converting in the 24th minute, followed a fabulous run by Livramento that alowed Almiron to shoot from the right hand side of the box. His shot was spilled by Gianluigi Donnarumma and Isak was on hand to fire into the net.

Adding to the later penalty injustice, Isak was denied the chance to double the lead two minutes before the break when Milan Skriniar fell on the ball and scooped it back with his hand when our man would have been through on goal.

Where was VAR to scrutinise that blatant handball and advise Marciniak to give a red card?

The second period was exhausting for the team and fans who headed every clearance and booted every interception as PSG swarmed forward. Just when every ounce of energy had been expended in keeping out the hosts though, it was the officials who finally buckled - having earlier reviewed and dismissed a hopeful appeal for an alleged foul in his own box by Gordon. 

Dortmund's 3-1 win in Milan on Tuesday leaves United with a chance of advancement in this competition if they can beat the Italians at Gallowgate and PSG fail to win in Germany. 

Stranger things have happened.

Regardless of that, avoiding defeat on Tyneside in two weeks time would guarantee that Newcastle's European adventure continues into 2024, goal difference and head to head with Milan certain to keep us above them. Another performance like tonight with a different set of officials would go a long way to ensuring the dream stays alive - regardless of the bigger picture, or domestic priorities. We bust a gut to get back into this bloody thing, let's keep the party going a while longer.

To be disappointed at drawing here may seem like we have ideas above our station - it was anything but. This was so close to being the night of all nights, perhaps even eclipsing Feyenoord - but it's not over yet. 

"Les supporters de Newcastle n'exigent pas une
équipe qui gagne, juste un club qui essaie...."