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AC Milan‘s 2-1 win at Newcastle United in the Champions League proved to be in vain as both teams were eliminated from the competition on Wednesday, though the Italian club claimed the consolation prize of dropping into the Europa League playoff round.
Samuel Chukwueze‘s 84th-minute winner lifted Milan, a semifinalist last season, above Newcastle into third place but they stayed behind Paris Saint-Germain courtesy of their inferior head-to-head record against the French team. PSG and Milan were tied on eight points after the six group games.
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At one point on a nerve-jangling climax to Group F, Newcastle were heading for the round of 16 as they led through Joelinton‘s rasping first-half drive.
With PSG drawing 1-1 at Borussia Dortmund, a win for Newcastle would have qualified the Premier League team for the knockout stage.
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But seven-times champions Milan were far better in the second half as Newcastle ran out of steam and Christian Pulisic equalised for the Serie A side on the hour from Olivier Giroud‘s pass.
The goal made Pulisic the first U.S. international to score for three different teams in the Champions League, after Dortmund and Chelsea
With both sides going for victory, Bruno Guimarães had a shot tipped on to the crossbar by Milan keeper Mike Maignan before Rafael Leão hit the post at the other end.
A superb counter-attack sealed victory for Milan with Chukwueze curling home to stun the home fans.
Information from Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.