When the Champions League draw was made, Group F always looked like being too close to call and it will duly go right down to the wire with French aristocrats Paris Saint-Germain still in control of their destiny, but only just.
Manager Luis Enrique was breathing a sigh of relief as Kylian Mbappe struck home a penalty late in stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle.
The visitors were desperately defending the lead given to them by striker Alexander Isak midway through the first half but suffered heartbreak when Tino Livramento was harshly-adjudged to have handled as an Ousmane Dembele pass bounced off his chest and against his elbow.
Mbappe netted from the spot to earn a point which left PSG in second spot with seven points, three behind already-qualified Borussia Dortmund who they face in their final group match.
PSG know that only a win in Dortmund will guarantee a place in the next round, but such is the complexity of a high-octane group they could also lose and still progress. Newcastle must beat AC Milan in their last game and hope PSG do not win if they are to grab second spot, while Milan could also still reach the last-16 with a victory at St James' Park.
"The most important thing is to focus on ourselves," said Luis Enrique, whose side lost 4-1 away to Newcastle. "It's so complicated."
Newcastle trudged off the Parc des Princes pitch with a burning sense of injustice.
They have a long injury list and were out on their feet but had heroes all over the pitch including 'keeper Nick Pope, 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley and the unlucky left-back Livramento.
Manager Eddie Howe was restrained about the penalty awarded by referee Szymon Marciniak after VAR instructed him to view a pitchside monitor.
"We're still in it," he said. "We still believe. As much as it's a huge, deflating feeling - it could be another story in our season."
Kylian Mbappe struck a late penalty, awarded by referee Szymon Marciniak after a VAR review of a handball by Tino Livramonte, below. AFP
