Magnussen had a strong qualifying, earning fifth, fourth and sixth places across the three sessions, but he acknowledged that the race was likely to be tough, thanks to the tyre temperature issue that have stymied Haas all season.
The Dane lost a couple of places on the first lap but hung on in the points for the first part of the race, enjoying a fraught battle with Pierre Gasly at one stage.
He slipped back after an off-track moment triggered by a brake issue before a virtual safety car gave him a cheap second stop for soft tyres, and thus a chance to catch drivers on older rubber in the latter stages.
He moved into the points on the final lap when George Russell crashed out.
“Super pleased with that,” said Magnussen. “It was hard fight. I don't think I've ever fought so hard for a point. But I really, really wanted it, after the good qualifying, it would have been so disappointing not to get anything out of it.
“It looked tough at one point. Once I had that off in Turn 2, I thought it was game over. My tyres were just done. So we pitted for soft, and it worked really well.
“Pace was good. And I made up a few positions. And then a few people crashed, and I got a point. So I'm glad I worked so hard for that.
Source: Autosport