The Toon teenagers defended valiantly throughout the Group F fixture against the French outfit at the Gateshead International Stadium, with Dylan Charlton producing two key contributions at the back to prevent the visitors from scoring in the first half.
However, the young Magpies conceded in the second minute of stoppage-time as Tony Mendy’s strike was parried by goalkeeper Aidan Harris into the path of Cordier, who lifted the ball into the roof of the net.
Ben Dawson made two changes from the side which suffered a 4-0 away defeat in their opening UEFA Youth League fixture against AC Milan as 16-year-old goalkeeper Aidan Harris, named on the bench for the Magpies’ goalless Champions League draw against Milan, was named in the starting XI whilst teenage midfielder Ellis Stanton replaced Travis Hernes in the middle of the park.
There were also places on the bench for the likes of England Under-16 international pair Trevan Sanusi and Leo Shahar, who both joined the Magpies last summer from Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.
With former Magpies Yohan Cabaye and Laurent Robert in attendance, Newcastle withstood a PSG attack within the opening minute as Paris skipper, Yoram Zague’s dangerous low cross flashed across the box before Senny Mayulu’s free-kick struck the side-netting.
Charlton produced an important interception to nullify a counter-attack from the visitors after Jamie Miley’s blocked cross from a short corner ultimately sent Kamil Bensoula through on goal but the alert left-back was on hand to anticipate the danger before preventing the attack.
Harris, who made his under-21s debut in September’s EFL Trophy clash against Wrexham, produced an important stop to deny PSG midfielder Ethan Mbappé, younger brother of World Cup winner Kylian, from opening the scoring after blocking the French midfielder’s powerful drive inside the penalty area with his body.
Newcastle almost found themselves ahead at the half-time break as Charlton latched onto a loose ball inside the box before the 17-year-old’s fierce half volley was blocked by Kouakou Gaodu.
The Gateshead-born youngster was on hand again to prevent PSG from breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time after making a vital sliding tackle to block Etienne Michut’s close-range effort towards goal.
Harris was forced into action shortly after the hour mark as the Houghton-le-Spring-born shot-stopper kept out Zague’s powerful drive from a tight angle before later blocking Ilies Ardjani’s drive.
However, in the 92nd minute, Newcastle were dealt a devastating blow as Cordier scored for the visitors. After Mendy’s low strike was crucially beaten by Harris, Cordier was quickly on hand to lash the rebound into the roof of the net.
Newcastle United Under-19s: Aidan Harris, Ciaran Thompson, Cathal Heffernan, Charlie McArthur, Dylan Charlton, Ellis Stanton (Leo Shahar 60), Jamie Miley (c), James Huntley, Ben Parkinson, Johnny Emerson (Sean Neave 90), Josh Donaldson (Trevan Sanusi 8).
Subs not used: Rory Powell, Thomas Bryant, Luke Craggs, Adam Harrison.
