Agony for United as famous victory is snatched away by late penalty

UEFA Champions League Last 16, St James' Park

- By LEE RYDER at St James' Park Chief Newcastle writer [e-mail]

Joelinton of Newcastle United scores but is disallowed for offside

NEWCASTLE United were a whisker away from taking a slender lead to the Nou Camp after a massive effort against Barcelona.

Having stayed in the game and kept Barca at bay, Newcastle dared to dream as Harvey Barnes fired home with four minutes to go, only for a late twist to hand the visitors a lifeline they barely deserved. Having kept their concentration and found themselves just seconds away from a clean sheet, Malick Thiaw upended Dani Olmo before Lamine Yamal’s only real glimpse of goal was fired home from the spot.

It had been a night in which Newcastle had opened the La Liga side up time after time but fluffed their lines.

Anthony Elanga roared down the right frequently but could not get his crossing right and William Osula was not always on the same page.

At one stage in the second half Osula turned to Elanga and told him to look up to perfect his passing into the final third. Nevertheless, as Newcastle players headed to the Gallowgate End after the final whistle they enjoyed warm applause and appreciation for a brave effort.

Before the teams walked out a firework display above the East Stand attempted to set the tone on Tyneside before a banner at the Gallowgate End even boldly hinted at an appearance in May’s Budapest final.

Elanga forced a corner after 90 seconds to bring even more energy to the home crowd with Kieran Trippier’s corner, then pushed away to safety by Joan Garcia. Moments later, a driving run from Jacob Ramsey saw the midfielder’s shot blocked to force another corner, again Garcia flapped with Sandro Tonali stooping low to head at goal, and Dan Burn failing to poke it home in the fourth minute.