sport news Newcastle's Champions League hopes were given a huge lifeline after Milan's 2-1 ... trends now
AC Milan’s surprise 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain was both the best and worst news for Newcastle United in the Champions League's Group of Death.
It improved their chances of making the last 16, but also increased the likelihood of them missing out on the Europa League by finishing bottom of the group.
Eddie Howe said after Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat in Dortmund on Tuesday that his side would have to win both remaining matches at PSG and at home to Milan to make it out of the group, but that is no longer the case.
Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the NINE possible permutations for Newcastle…
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe urged his side must win their last two games to stay in the Champions League after the English club were beaten 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday
Callum Wilson (front) and Bruno Guimaraes (back) cut frustrated figures after Tuesday's defeat
AC Milan's shock 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night handed Newcastle a lifeline in the Champions League but worsened their odds of finishing third in the tricky group
BEAT PSG & MILAN
They would be guaranteed to qualify for the last 16, finishing on 10 points. Dortmund would need to beat only one of Milan and PSG in their remaining two games to finish top. If Dortmund picked up only a point or less, then Newcastle would advance as group winners.
It should be remembered, Newcastle cannot finish above Dortmund if they are the only two teams tied on points because of Borussia’s superior head-to-head record.
BEAT PSG & DRAW WITH MILAN
This is where it starts to get a little complicated. Newcastle would finish on eight points, and usually that is not enough to progress. However, should Dortmund avoid defeat in both games against Milan and PSG, then Newcastle would take second spot in this scenario.
But were Dortmund to lose both then Newcastle would finish third, as they would if Dortmund were to draw or win in Milan and then lose to
