WATCH: How Joao Cancelo helped Lamine Yamal before his penalty against Newcastle

St James’ Park, 90+7’ – the whistle is about to blow on a tense Champions League last-16 first leg when Malick Thiaw’s challenge on Dani Olmo gives Barcelona a lifeline. Lamine Yamal, 16, steps forward under the Gallowgate End glare, but before he can even place the ball, Joao Cancelo has already begun his own vital intervention.

Television footage released overnight shows the Portuguese full-back positioning himself between the penalty spot and Newcastle’s Joelinton, physically shielding the turf while the Brazilian attempts to scuff it up in a bid to unsettle the teenager. Cancelo’s body-block lasts only a few seconds, yet it preserves a pristine patch of grass and allows Yamal the clean contact he needs.

The winger does the rest, rolling the ball low beyond the goalkeeper with the final kick of the contest to secure a 1-1 draw and an away-goal advantage ahead of next week’s return at Camp Nou.

Reflecting on the scramble for a result, Barça coach Hansi Flick admitted improvements are essential: “We have to accept it, but we have to do it much better next week. It’s not easy because here, the atmosphere was fantastic, they played also fantastic. Obviously, they have a lot of dynamic, very fast players and it’s not easy. You have to always be 100% focused, concentration has to be high and we did it in the defence very well.”

While Flick praised his rearguard, he conceded the attacking display was well below par, describing it bluntly as “a very poor offensive display, but a solid result anyway.”

Cancelo’s subtle yet decisive act, however, ensured the night ended on a positive note for the Catalans, who will now look to convert possession into penetration when the tie resumes in seven days’ time.