Group of Death Drama: Champions League Group F Permutations Unveil Which Teams Will Qualify

• Newcastle United were denied a famous UEFA Champions League win in Paris
• Kylian Mbappe scored a late penalty to secure a 1-1 draw against the Magpies
• Sports Brief examines Group F permutations to determine qualifying teams

In the closing minutes at the Parc des Princes, Newcastle United seemed to control their Champions League fate, securing the second spot in Group F.

However, fast forward to the present, and Kylian Mbappe's contentious late penalty has significantly altered the dynamics of the challenging Group of Death in Europe's premier competition.

Presently, Dortmund have advanced to the next stage with 10 points following a comfortable victory over AC Milan in the San Siro on Tuesday.

PSG hold the second position with seven points, while Newcastle and Milan are tied at five points, separated only by goal difference.

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Newcastle will host the Italian side at St James' Park on the final matchday next month, while Dortmund will face PSG in Germany. The question remains: Which team will qualify for the next phase?

Group F permutations

For Newcastle to progress to the Champions League knockout stages, they must secure a victory against Milan on December 13.

A draw or a defeat wouldn't be sufficient to overtake PSG, who currently holds a two-point advantage. However, even if Howe's side secures a win, it would be inconsequential if PSG secures three points at Signal Iduna Park.

Yet, should Dortmund win or draw against Mbappe's side, a Newcastle victory would propel them above PSG, either by one point or due to their superior head-to-head record.

In essence, Newcastle's path to progression is clear: they must triumph over Milan while hoping PSG fails to secure a win in Germany.

Should Newcastle secure a third-place finish in the group, they will enter the Europa League knockout playoff round. However, finishing in the fourth position in Group F will result in elimination from European competitions.

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UEFA recommends change to handball rule

Meanwhile, the UEFA's advisory board has already made some recommendations to the rule to have it appealed. As captured on the website, the board wants no handball to be called against a player if the ball had previously deflected off him - a rule that could possibly seen Howe's charges get all three points on Tuesday night.

"The Board recommends that UEFA should clarify that no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body and, in particular, when the ball does not go towards the goal."

The result saw Newcastle drop to third place, with PSG taking second place with seven points, three behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. PSG travel to Germany on the final matchday as Newcastle welcome Milan.

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Fans claim Newcastle got robbed

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Paris Saint-Germain needing a 98th-minute penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw against Newcastle in the UCL to keep their knockout hopes alive.

Angry fans, journalists, and former Newcastle United players took to social media immediately after the game to slam PSG and the centre referee for the late penalty decision.

Former Magpie Alan Shearer described the referee's decision to award a late penalty to PSG as 'disgusting', with his club on the verge of being eliminated from their group.